Gardeners’ World presenter Peter Seabrook dies aged 86

Peter Seabrook has died at the age of 86. (Picture: Getty / Rex)

Gardening writer and broadcaster Peter Seabrook has died at the age of 86.

The horticulturalist, who presented programmes including Gardeners’ World, died on Friday, several media outlets have reported.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) announced that he will be missed ‘enormously’.

Taking to Twitter to share the news, a spokesperson said: ‘We are very sad to hear that one of the greatest champions of horticulture, Peter Seabrook, has died.

‘Peter had the most incredible career in horticulture and exhibited at RHS Chelsea Flower Show for decades and was regularly at RHS events, gardens and flower shows.

‘Through his work as a broadcaster, writer and gardener he helped and inspired so many people to garden and grow.

The beloved figure ‘helped and inspired so many people to garden and grow’ (Picture: Radio Times/Getty Images)

‘As well as raising the profile and importance of horticulture, he was passionate about getting young people gardening. We will miss him enormously.’

His cause of death has yet to be confirmed.

Seabrook had two children, Alison and Roger, with his wife, Margaret.

The BBC reported that his children said in a joint statement: ‘He leaves a big gap in our lives. We are grateful that he was able to live a long and active life, pursuing what he loved right up to the end.

‘The messages of appreciation that have come from people who worked with him – some going back many years and some very recent – are overwhelming.’

Seabrook had a long and decorated career (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

Seabrook, from Chelmsford, Essex, was born in 1935 and studied horticulture at the nearby Writtle College, graduating in 1956.

While undertaking national service he trained as a florist before becoming a director of the seed and gardening company Cramphorn.

He went on to work for Bórd na Móna, or Irish Peat Board, as a technical representative, before becoming a consultant and director.

The TV personality began his career as a broadcaster in 1965 with BBC Home Service, before appearing on In Your Garden and Gardeners’ Question Time.

Seabrook was a staple on British TV for decades (Picture: Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

From 1975 he presented BBC television programmes including Gardeners’ World, Pebble Mill at One and coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show.

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He was also known in the United States for hosting The Victory Garden on PBS for more than two decades.

Seabrook was made an MBE for his services in 2005.

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