Gardener’s World host Monty Don has shared the sad reason his sweet dog Patti is no longer seen "following" him around during filming.
Regular followers are familiar with Monty's pets popping up on screen – with him openly admitting they often steal the show.
And since the sad loss of his golden retriever Nigel in 2020 there has been a steady influx of dogs to the Don clan.
The broadcaster got a new golden retriever called Nell, and then a Yorkshire Terrier called Patti.
However, many viewers have noticed Patti no longer appears on the BBC 2 show with Monty and one plucked up the courage to ask the horticulturist.
Taking to Twitter, one person wrote to the 67-year-old: "May I ask why Patti doesn't follow you around during filming anymore? We only seem to see her at the end of GW now.”
Calming fears the little pooch was ill, Monty replied: “Because she hates the tripods because one fell on her during lockdown.
“That is why you always see me holding her. When the cameras are not here she is out with me all the time.”
Animal-lover Monty regularly shares updates on his dogs, recently revealing he is besotted with a new dog, Ned, whom he confirmed is a ‘replacement’ for Nigel.
Speaking before his pets had been introduced Monty joked: '‘I haven’t told Nellie or Patti yet…’', he added, so it remains to be seen whether the three dogs will be best buds!"
But he need not have worried as video he has since shared with followers shows Ned and Nell rolling around and they look to have bonded beautifully.
Monty told followers on Insta: "Ned makes his world premiere tonight on BBC2 at 8 pm on Gardeners World."
Sharing the joke on how popular his pets have become, he added: "I am told there might be a little gardening too."
One follower posted: ''He’s gonna be the star of the show!!'' Another added: "Can’t wait they are great company in the garden as long as they don’t do too much digging!"
A third added: "So beautiful love that you love your dogs as much as gardening."
A fourth penned: "Can't not wait monty and his dog crew are the best. Friday night special."
The new addition comes as Monty told on an episode of the Griefcast podcast, he recalled his conversations with vets at the time and how difficult it was to work while he worried about his pet.
Nigel suffered from ‘violent fits all night’, and died shortly before his 12th birthday.
