MONTY Don has left fans enraged as he questioned the judges live on air at the Chelsea Flower Show.
The beloved gardener, 68, ruffled fans up the wrong way as he cast his opinion on the competition for the highlights episode on BBC Two.
Monty had predicted another creation would scoop top place when inspected by the judges – and was left visibly surprised when it didn’t.
Ula Maria’s gorgeous Japenese-inspired garden was declared the winner which prompted Monty to exclaim how they ‘got it wrong’.
He told co-host Joe Swift: “Right, well, you got it very wrong. It was certainly not WaterAid by Tom Massey and Je Ahn.”
Joe, who was also surprised by the result, slammed his cue cards on the table in response.
Monty then added: “Well, this is a difficult one because obviously we got it wrong, and that is fine. I think Ula’s garden was fabulous and deserved a gold medal. The fact she is a young, brilliant designer is fantastic.
“But, a lot of people I have spoken to are saying that they just don’t understand where the judges are going.”
However, viewers watching at home were left seething with rage following Monty’s reaction and took to social media to comment.
“One said: “Hmmm…bad look of the presenters on #ChelseaFlowerShow to fawn over young woman winner of Best Show Garden one minute, then totally dismiss her win relative to two men’s gardens they think objectively better the next – don’t think would’ve happened the other way round…”
A second wrote: “How rude of Monty Don and Joe Swift to dis Ula Maria’s garden like that. Disgusting. I thought the garden was fabulous but then I’m not there I suppose.”
“Found it very distasteful and unprofessional,” said a third.
While a fourth posted: “Agreed, totally uncalled for and very disappointing.”
Meanwhile, fans previously questioned the Gardeners’ World appearance at the Flower Show.
They took to social media to ask the horticulturist why he wore such a baggy suit.
SINCE bursting onto our TV screens in Gardeners' World in the early noughties, Monty Don has been a much-loved star.
Before finding fame on TV, and together with his wife Sarah, Monty set up a lucrative jewellery business in the early 80s.
Monty then joined the popular BBC show as presenter in 2003, taking over from the out going Alan Titchmarsh, and has been there ever since.
Every since he burst onto the scene, he has become a familiar face on the box.
Away from Gardeners’ World he is also known for Monty Don’s Italian Gardens, as well as the French, American and Japanese versions of the show.
Monty also hosted The Secret History of the British Garden
