Matthew Wilson favourite to take over Gardeners World

Wildlife and climate change author Matthew Wilson has been named as favourite to take over from Monty Don as the lead presenter of BBC Gardeners World.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes identified him as the frontrunner to host the show since Don retired after suffering a stroke in recent weeks, according to the Independent.

It states that the show will continue to be presented by Joe Swift, Alys Fowler and Carol Klein, potentially until the current series comes to a conclusion in November.

Wilson recently left his position as curator and head of the Royal Horticultural Societys Harlow Carr site in North Yorkshire and is due to take up a creative role within the society in the coming weeks.

Previous presenters of Gardeners World include Percy Thrower and Alan Titchmarsh.

Meanwhile, Don recently appeared in public in his new role as the president of the Soil Association, stating that he is "recovering well" from his stroke.