Frances Tophill, 32, has spoken on if audiences can expect to see her lighting up the ballroom on Strictly Come Dancing in the near future. The horticulturist is a beloved co-host of the BBC’s Gardeners’ World and has discussed her future away from the programme.
Speaking on whether she could appear in Strictly, in respect to working as a freelancer across multiple channels including ITV and the BBC, Frances admitted she was grateful for her career freedom.
The expert gardener told the Kitchen Garden Magazine Podcast: “Well people ask me this now and again, and I have never really thought about it.
“But I was watching Channel 4 news yesterday and there was an advertisement for Sandy Toksvig, who is doing something with Channel 4 and she is obviously on BBC, on BBC Radio.
“So obviously it does happen more now. I notice it now whereas I never would have thought about it before, but it’s quite nice from my perspective to get the freedom to do the things that I want to do.”
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Asked what show she would most like to appear on in the future, Frances answered: “I love travelling, let’s do a bit of Monty Don’s Around The World In 80 Gardens.”
Around The World In 80 Gardens followed Monty Don, 65, as he set off around the planet searching for world-class gardens and aired back in 2008.
Monty is someone who the 32-year-old works with closely on their show Gardeners’ World.
The 65-year-old took some time off the show recently while Frances stepped in to cover him on the programme.
Monty typed back: “We film a week ahead of transmission.”
While a second follower commented: “What do you want a medal? You get paid to potter about in the garden mate. Anyway I look forward to watching.”
The TV personality responded sarcastically: “Will take that as a compliment – delighted that is how it comes across.”
In the weeks that Monty had been absent from the show, viewers vented their frustration on social media.
One said: “Erm, Monty ain’t on #gardenersworld.”
Another asked: “Where’s Monty?! #GardenersWorld #MiddleAgedTweet.”
“Upon seeing that Monty is away this week and we have ‘Frosty’ instead….. #gardenersworld,” a third wrote.
The green-fingered presenter said he had been focusing on a project he was forced to postpone during the coronavirus pandemic, but has since returned to his full hosting duties.