Sue Kent

Last updated

Sue Kent
Born
Reading, England
Occupation(s)Garden expert, garden designer, television presenter, speaker
Employer BBC
Known forTelevision gardening programmes
Television Gardeners' World , Garden Rescue, Chelsea Flower Show

Susan Kent (born 1963) is an English gardening expert and garden designer, who also works as a television presenter. She is best known for her work on BBC Two 's Gardeners' World and Garden Rescue programmes.

Contents

Early life and education

Born in Reading, England, Kent attended St Joseph's School from 1966 to 1977. She later attended King James College, in Henley, and studied marketing and advertising at the University of the West of England (UWE). Kent later gained a sports massage qualification at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (Uwic). [1]

Kent was born with an upper limb disability called phocomelia caused by the drug Thalidomide, [2] [3] she has 8 in (20 cm) arms and seven fingers.

Career

Television and shows

Kent made her television debut on Gardeners' World in 2020 after sending a home video in of her own garden. It was such a hit that she became a regular presenter on the show, winning a Garden Media Award for her efforts. [2] [4] Her appearance on television has shown how gardening can be accessible to those with disabilities [5]

In July 2022 Kent received a Silver Gilt medal and The People's Choice award at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival for her garden.

In 2023, Kent created a Platinum Award Winning Border at BBC Gardener's World Live.

Kent is a Royal Horticultural Society ambassador for disability inclusion.

In 2025, Kent was part of the main daytime BBC One Chelsea Flower Show presenting team. [6] Kent joined the new presenting line-up for BBC's Garden Rescue programme, due to be broadcast later in the year. [7]

Writing

Kent has written her own book, called 'Garden Notes'. She often writes for gardening publications such as BBC Gardeners' World magazine and produces videos for the magazine's YouTube channel and podcast for Spotify. [8]

Other work

Kent has previously worked as a sports massage therapist, using her feet. [9]

Personal life

Kent is married to chartered accountant Stephen Kent. The pair share two children. [10]

She has Ménière’s disease which has caused her symptoms such as deafness, blindness and vertigo. [5]

Bibliography

References

  1. ↑ "The inspirational disabled woman from Swansea who has wowed Alan Titchmarsh with her amazing garden". WalesOnline. 3 September 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  2. 1 2 "BBC Gardeners' World star Sue Kent's disability, family and career outside gardening". Birmingham Live. 3 September 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Fisher, Sue. "Meet the Gardeners' World TV Presenters | BBC Gardeners World Magazine". www.gardenersworld.com. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  4. ↑ The Thalidomide Trust, Sue Kent's Garden Featured on the BBC, 16 September 2020. https://www.thalidomidetrust.org/sue-kents-garden-featured-on-the-bbc/ Archived 23 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine
  5. 1 2 "Meet the Gardeners' World presenter who plants flowers with her feet". The Times. 3 September 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  6. ↑ "Meet the presenters for the Chelsea Flower Show 2025". Radio Times. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  7. ↑ "Garden Rescue returns to BBC One and iPlayer with brand new additions to its presenting line up". BBC Press Office. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  8. ↑ TG Jones - Sue Kent - Garden Notes. 4 March 2013. ISBN   978-1-80258-588-9 . Retrieved 3 December 2014.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  9. ↑ "Paralympics role for thalidomide barefoot masseuse Sue Kent". BBC News. 22 January 2012.
  10. ↑ "Who is Gardeners' World star Sue Kent's husband?". Hello!. 18 February 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.