Gardeners’ Question Time has been one of BBC radio’s most cherished programmes ever since it launched all the way back in 1947, and over the course of nearly 80 years none of its panellists has been more respected or well liked than Matt Biggs, who died today (21 May) aged 65.
Biggs had been living with cancer since 2020. He continued broadcasting almost to the very end, making what he and GQT knew would be his final appearance only last week. The edition included a special feature in which Biggs talked about his life in gardening, the strength he drew from it during his long illness, and its all-round therapeutic benefits.
It was a deeply moving contribution, to which, according to GQT producer Dan Cocker, the audience response was overwhelming. Ahead of the broadcast, Mohit Bakaya, the Controller of Radio 4, said: “Everyone at Radio 4 is deeply grateful to Matthew for everything he has given to Gardeners’ Question Time over the years.
"He has been an extraordinary contributor and a true ambassador for Radio 4 in the horticultural world.”
Biggs said that by sharing his story he hoped he could offer “both guidance to others facing illness and encouragement to listeners of all ages”.
View oEmbed on the source websiteBiggsy as he was known to everyone involved on GQT, had been a regular panellist since 1994. “Listeners loved to hear Matt’s passionate advice and knowledge,” Dan Cocker said, “volunteered in a sympathetic and purposefully conscious tone that appealed to the everyman home gardener.
“His enthusiasm leapt out of the speakers, and when you listened to Matt describe the colour of a rose, or the petal structure of a Paulownia, you couldn’t help but fall in love with him.”
Biggs, who trained at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, also had a TV career, appearing on Channel 4’s Garden Club and directing Grass Roots for ITV. His numerous books included Garden: Exploring the Horticultural World and A Home for Every Plant: Wonders of the Botanical World.
Involving himself in projects promoting the mental-health benefits of gardening, Biggs became well known as an advocate for gardening and wellbeing, including work supporting healthcare environments.
When undergoing treatment for his cancer at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Hertfordshire, he organised a group of people to help design, fund, plant and inspire a new garden for other patients to enjoy.
Biggs is survived by his wife Gill and his daughters Chloe and Jessica.
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