Former BBC Gardeners' World star Peter Seabrook dies of 'heart attack' aged 86: Royal Horticultural Society leads tributes to writer and broadcaster

• e-mail

Famed gardening writer and broadcaster Peter Seabrook has died at the age of 86 after a suspected heart attack, his family has announced. 

Mr Seabrook was known for presenting Gardener's World and was still contributing gardening columns before his death. 

The Chelsea Flower Show stalwart lived in Chelmsford, Essex. His daughter Alison Seabrook Moore said he was 'working at full throttle until the end', the BBC reports.

The Royal Horticultural Society stated: 'We are very sad to hear that one of the greatest champions of horticulture, Peter Seabrook, has died. 

'Peter had the most incredible career in horticulture and exhibited at RHS Chelsea Flower Show for decades and was regularly at RHS events, Gardens and Flower Shows.'

Peter Seabrook began his broadcasting career in 1965 after studying horticulture at Writtle College in Essex

Seabrook (at back) pictured with other presenters of Gardener's World in 1997

Horticulturalist Peter Seabrook, pictured here attending the Chelsea Flower Show in 2010, has died at the age of 86

Mr Seabrook pictured at his garden in Chelmsford, Essex, in 1976, shortly before he took over as a presenter of Gardener's World replacing Percy Thrower

Peter Seabrook pictured for a feature with the Radio Times in 1983

Queen Elizabeth II and gardening expert Peter Seabrook at the Chelsea Flower Show in May, 2000

Hailed as a 'great horticulturalist', Mr Seabrook studied his craft at Writtle College in Essex and began his broadcasting career in 1965. 

He started as a guest host of Gardener's World in 1976 and also presented Pebble Mill at One and the Chelsea Flower Show. He was also The Sun's resident gardening columnist for over 40 years.

Mr Seabrook's recent projects included a campaign against the use of peat in commercial horticulture, for which he lobbied the Houses of Parliament up until November last year.

In a joint statement, his children Alison and Roger said Mr Seabrook spent many years caring for their mother Margaret, who suffered from Alzheimers.

They said: 'He leaves a big gap in our lives. We are grateful that he was able to live a long and active life, pursuing what he loved right up to the end.

'The messages of appreciation that have come from people who worked with him - some going back many years and some very recent - are overwhelming.'

Seabrook started as a guest host of Gardener's World in 1976 and also presented Pebble Mill at One and the Chelsea Flower Show

Seabrook (pictured left) was also The Sun's resident gardening columnist for over 40 years

Gardening writer and television broadcaster Peter Seabrook photographed behind the scenes at the site of the Chelsea Flower Show in 1987

Gardening expert Peter Seabrook made many live appearances at gardening centres up and down the country over the years

Mr Seabrook, from Chelmsford, Essex, still worked as a gardening columnist and died of a suspected heart attack on Friday

Matthew Appleby, editor of Horticulture Week, which first broke news of Seabrook's death, said: 'The whole of horticulture will be shocked and saddened by this news. Peter was the most respected and the greatest gardening writer of his time and will be much missed.'

The Sun travel editor Lisa Minot said: 'Thank you for the apples - Mr Peter Seabrook. My esteemed colleague of (for me) 30 years. One of life’s good people.'

Cassie King, who worked with him on the Chelsea Flower Show, said she was 'absolutely devastated'.

She added: 'I worked with Peter several times, the highlight being asked to project manage four industry gardens at Chelsea in 2016. Peter was an inspiration to me and gave me so many opportunities for which I will be forever grateful for.'