Matthew Biggs dies at 65 after final Radio 4 appearance

Matthew Biggs died on 21 May aged 65, a week after making what he and Gardeners' Question Time knew would be his final appearance. The long-time panellist had been living with cancer since 2020 and continued broadcasting after his diagnosis.

Gardeners' Question Time since 1994

Biggs had been a regular panellist on Gardeners' Question Time since 1994, making him one of the programme's most familiar voices for listeners who turned to him for gardening advice. Mohit Bakaya said he had been an extraordinary contributor and a true ambassador for Radio 4 in the horticultural world.

Bakaya also said: "Everyone at Radio 4 is deeply grateful to Matthew for everything he has given to Gardeners’ Question Time over the years." The broadcaster's final appearance came only last week, closing a stretch of work that continued through his illness.

Matthew Biggs at Kew

Biggs trained at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, and later appeared on Channel 4's Garden Club and directed Grass Roots for ITV. His books included Garden: Exploring the Horticultural World and A Home for Every Plant: Wonders of the Botanical World.

Dan Cocker said: "Listeners loved to hear Matt’s passionate advice and knowledge." He added: "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."

Gill, Chloe and Jessica

Biggs became known as an advocate for gardening and wellbeing, and he organised a group of people to help design, fund, plant and inspire a new garden for other patients at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Hertfordshire. He said he wanted to offer "both guidance to others facing illness and encouragement to listeners of all ages".

He is survived by his wife Gill and his daughters Chloe and Jessica.