Arthur Billitt

Arthur Billitt is perhaps the least well known of the lead presenters of the long running BBC television programme Gardeners' World.

He took over from the first presenter Percy Thrower who in 1976 invoked the wrath of the BBC by falling foul of their 'no advertising' policy and was fired for endorsing fertilisers on TV. Billitt was the co-presenter and took over the lead role at his own home, Clack's Farm, in Worcestershire, fronting the programme until 1979 when Geoff Hamilton took over. Billitt is regarded as having a very practical style of gardening with large beds and straight rows of vegetables. His work quickly changed the 2.5-acre (10,000 m²) garden into an allotment and national showpiece.