Viewers accused the BBC of ‘going woke’ when they decided to replace veteran gardening presenter Joe Swift with two women in this year’s Chelsea Flower Show coverage.
Joe Swift had been part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship event for 24 years, starting as a roving reporter and eventually becoming a co-anchor alongside Monty Don.
However, the BBC’s decision to replace Swift with female presenters Rachel de Thame and Arit Anderson on the main evening BBC Two show sparked controversy among the audience.
Dozens of viewers took to social media to complain that they were missing ‘Chelsea legend’ Swift with some claiming that an equality drive was ‘ruining’ the Corporation’s Chelsea coverage.
Some viewers suggested the change was a result of the BBC’s ’50:50′ equality project.
The scheme, which began in 2017, which sets out to increase the number of female, disabled and ethnic minority presenters.
When viewers were invited to submit questions online to the new trio to ‘solve all your gardening grievances’, the most common enquiry was ‘Where’s Joe?’.
Facebook user Kerry Thatcher fumed: ‘Not the same without Joe. The banter between him & Monty made the show. Shame on you BBC for going woke & ruining a much-loved programme’.
She claimed: ‘Joe has been replaced simply because he is a man. He is a well respected gardener & designer with a Chelsea gold medal.
‘This is all down to the BBC 50:50 equality project. I like Rachel & Arit very much but they usually fronted other shows in the RHS calendar & Chelsea had the benefit of Joe & Monty together, which was very entertaining. As I said another programme spoilt.’
Another female viewer asked: ‘Where’s Joe Swift and why does it need two women to replace him?’
David Grace complained that the coverage was ‘getting more like a women’s chat show’ while Susan Harbin said: ‘Joe Swift is a big miss. No fun now, everyone is very worthy and nice.’
Lyn Watson said: ‘I miss Joe Swift … he was a great presenter but obviously no longer flavour of the month’ while Rob Bennett asked: ‘Where’s Joe? Not the same without Joe Swift. Boo BBC.’
Several referred to Swift’s sparring down the years with 69-year-old lead presenter Don, who has designed his own dog-friendly garden as this year’s event.
Lisa Ashton said: ‘It’s not the same without Joe Swift. He keeps Monty from being too earnest and pompous.’
Similarly, Linda Manning said: ‘Really miss Joe Swift – his sparring with ‘his lordship’ is always a delight.’
But a minority applauded the new format with Terry Barber saying: ‘Brilliant line-up of presenters this year. The production needed a shake up. Monty far more relaxed with Rachel and Arit. A joy to watch. I do not miss Joe one bit.’
Ms Anderson and Ms de Thame are, like Swift, garden designers and experienced Gardeners’ World presenters.
Swift attended Chelsea on Monday morning to promote a show garden built by his design company Modular for homeless charity Pathway.
Swift, who turns 60 on Sunday, said: ‘I’m going on holiday this afternoon. I’m having a big birthday soon.’
When Swift first appeared on screen from Chelsea in 2001, the BBC’s lead presenters were Alan Titchmarsh and Diarmuid Gavin.
Swift, in his role as roving reporter once dressed up as Indiana Jones complete with a leather jacket, hat and whip as he went hunting for plants.
In a recent Scribehound Gardening podcast, Swift revealed that he finds filming in front of Chelsea visitors ‘nerve-wracking’.
He said: ‘Everyone watches you film and loves it when you get it wrong, absolutely just waiting for you to make a mistake.’
Recalling how he got into ‘a bit of trouble over the years’, he told how he once revealed an exhibitor’s 300-year-old bonsai tree was worth £35,000 – only for thieves to steal it from his nursery the following week.
On another occasion when he was flagging from an early start he asked a runner to fetch him a banana – only to be handed a can of lager on set in front of a crowd.
He said: ‘Everyone’s nudging each other – ‘oh look, Joe’s got a bit of a problem’. It’s only 10 o’clock in the morning. I had to say really loudly ‘Oh, no I didn’t want a can of lager. I wanted a banana’.’
Swift’s agent has been approached for comment.
A BBC spokesman said: ‘Joe is not part of the presenting line-up this year.’
This is all down to the BBC 50:50 equality project.’ Lyn Watson said: ‘I miss Joe Swift… he was a great presenter but obviously no longer flavour of the month.’
Another female viewer asked: ‘Where’s Joe Swift and why does it need two women to replace him?’
A minority applauded the new format with Terry Barber saying: ‘Brilliant line-up of presenters this year. The production needed a shake up. I do not miss Joe one bit.’
Ms Anderson and Ms de Thame are, like Swift, garden designers and experienced Gardeners’ World presenters.
