Chelsea Flower Show lovers accused the BBC of turning it ‘woke’ after axing a veteran presenter and changing him with two ladies

The BBC was once accused through audience of ‘going woke‘ after losing veteran gardening presenter Joe Swift from this 12 months’s Chelsea Flower Show protection – changing him with two ladies.

Swift has been a presenter on the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship match for the previous 24 years, emerging from roving reporter to co-anchor along Monty Don.

But this week, bosses changed the acquainted frontman with feminine presenters Rachel de Thame and Arit Anderson, who joined Don at the major night BBC Two display.

Dozens of audience took to social media to whinge that they have been lacking ‘Chelsea legend’ Swift with some claiming that an equality power was once ‘ruining’ the Corporation’s Chelsea protection.

Some audience prompt the trade was once a results of the BBC’s ’50:50′ equality undertaking.

The scheme, which started in 2017, which units out to extend the collection of feminine, disabled and ethnic minority presenters.

When audience have been invited to publish questions on-line to the brand new trio to ‘resolve your whole gardening grievances’, the commonest enquiry was once ‘Where’s Joe?’.

Facebook person Kerry Thatcher fumed: ‘Not the similar with out Joe. The banter between him & Monty made the display. Shame on you BBC for going woke & ruining a much-loved programme’.

But this week bosses changed Swift with feminine presenters Rachel de Thame (proper) and Arit Anderson (left), who joined Don at the major night BBC2 display

She claimed: ‘Joe has been changed just because he’s a person. He is a neatly revered gardener & fashion designer with a Chelsea gold medal.

‘This is all right down to the BBC 50:50 equality undertaking. I love Rachel & Arit very a lot however they typically fronted different presentations within the RHS calendar & Chelsea had the advantage of Joe & Monty in combination, which was once very entertaining. As I mentioned every other programme spoilt.’

Another feminine viewer requested: ‘Where’s Joe Swift and why does it want two ladies to exchange him?’

David Grace complained that the protection was once ‘getting extra like a ladies’s chat display’ whilst Susan Harbin mentioned: ‘Joe Swift is a large leave out. No a laugh now, everybody may be very worthy and great.’

Lyn Watson mentioned: ‘I leave out Joe Swift … he was once an ideal presenter however clearly now not flavour of the month’ whilst Rob Bennett requested: ‘Where’s Joe? Not the similar with out Joe Swift. Boo BBC.’

Several referred to Swift’s sparring down the years with 69-year-old lead presenter Don, who has designed his personal dog-friendly lawn as this 12 months’s match.

Lisa Ashton mentioned: ‘It’s now not the similar with out Joe Swift. He assists in keeping Monty from being too earnest and pompous.’

Similarly, Linda Manning mentioned: ‘Really leave out Joe Swift – his sparring with ‘his lordship’ is at all times a pride.’

But a minority applauded the brand new structure with Terry Barber pronouncing: ‘Brilliant line-up of presenters this 12 months. The manufacturing wanted a shake up. Monty way more comfy with Rachel and Arit. A pleasure to observe. I don’t leave out Joe one bit.’

Ms Anderson and Ms de Thame are, like Swift, lawn designers and skilled Gardeners’ World presenters.

Swift attended Chelsea on Monday morning to advertise a display lawn constructed through his design corporate Modular for homeless charity Pathway.

Swift, who turns 60 on Sunday, mentioned: ‘I’m occurring vacation this afternoon. I’m having a large birthday quickly.’

When Swift first seemed on display screen from Chelsea in 2001, the BBC’s lead presenters have been Alan Titchmarsh and Diarmuid Gavin.

Swift, in his function as roving reporter as soon as dressed up as Indiana Jones whole with a leather-based jacket, hat and whip as he went attempting to find vegetation.

In a contemporary Scribehound Gardening podcast, Swift published that he unearths filming in entrance of Chelsea guests ‘nerve-wracking’.

He mentioned: ‘Everyone watches you movie and loves it whilst you get it incorrect, completely simply looking ahead to you to screw up.’

Recalling how he were given into ‘a bit of of hassle over time’, he advised how he as soon as published an exhibitor’s 300-year-old bonsai tree was once price £35,000 – just for thieves to scouse borrow it from his nursery the next week.

On every other instance when he was once flagging from an early get started he requested a runner to fetch him a banana – handiest to be passed a can of lager on set in entrance of a crowd.

He mentioned: ‘Everyone’s nudging each and every different – ‘oh glance, Joe’s were given a bit of of an issue’. It’s handiest 10 o’clock within the morning. I needed to say actually loudly ‘Oh, no I did not need a can of lager. I sought after a banana’.’

Swift’s agent has been approached for remark.

A BBC spokesman mentioned: ‘Joe isn’t a part of the presenting line-up this 12 months.’

This is all right down to the BBC 50:50 equality undertaking.’ Lyn Watson mentioned: ‘I leave out Joe Swift… he was once an ideal presenter however clearly now not flavour of the month.’

Another feminine viewer requested: ‘Where’s Joe Swift and why does it want two ladies to exchange him?’ 

A minority applauded the brand new structure with Terry Barber pronouncing: ‘Brilliant line-up of presenters this 12 months. The manufacturing wanted a shake up. I don’t leave out Joe one bit.’

Ms Anderson and Ms de Thame are, like Swift, lawn designers and skilled Gardeners’ World presenters.