Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don is best known for his high-waisted trousers, baggy open-necked work shirts, braces and wellies. And some mean-minded viewers have seen fit to brand him “scruffy”. But believe it or not, the green-fingered star of the BBC Two show actually has a tailor. His secret was exposed by his TV co-host Adam Frost, 55.

He let slip during a chat with fans: “Whenever His Lordship wants a couple of weeks off, that’s when I stand in. And they are big old boots to fill. But we won’t talk about his clothes. Would you believe me if I tell you that he has actually got a tailor? I have had this conversation with him. I said ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, mate, but if I could afford a tailor I would get them to make clothes that fit me’. I can’t tell you what he said back to me!”

Monty, 70, said in an interview: “Your clothes must work for you. I have three lots. There is a tiny assortment of T-shirts, cashmere jerseys and tracksuit-bottom type affairs I slip on at five in the morning or after a bath in the evening. Their only function is comfort. I also have a few suits, whose main role is to impress on some level. But the vast majority of my waking hours are spent wearing the clothes that work best for me outside.” Monty donned a suit to meet the King and Queen at the Chelsea Flower Show in May.