Television’s Beechgrove Garden presenter Jim McColl dies

The programme was an enormous success with audiences, leading to live shows and a radio spin-off.

The garden was moved to the outskirts of Aberdeen in the 1990s, allowing the team to begin the task of creating it all over again.

George Barron left the programme in 1984 but McColl continued in his role with a number of other presenters including Bill Torrance, Chris Beardshaw and Carole Baxter.

The programme is produced for BBC Scotland by the independent production company Tern TV.

The McColl family said: “It’s with a heavy heart we share the passing of Jim McColl, husband, dad and grandad who passed peacefully yesterday.

“He will be hugely missed not only by us but by his friends, colleagues and a nation who he shared his passion for gardening with over four decades at The Beechgrove Garden.”

BBC Scotland’s acting director Geraldine McCartney paid tribute to McColl.

“His expert gardening advice and wisdom on The Beechgrove Garden was invaluable to green-fingered viewers over the decades and he will be greatly missed by all,” she said.

“Loved by viewers across the nation, he’ll be especially missed in the North East, where he was a much-cherished part of the BBC Scotland and Tern TV teams for many years. Our thoughts are with Jim’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Harry Bell, managing director of Tern TV: “Here’s to ‘our’ lovely Jim, who for four decades presented The Beechgrove Garden for us with a spring in his step, a twinkle in his eye and a kind word for all folk.

“You’ll be fair missed, Jim. You were a local hero first and a Scottish national treasure next. Thank you for your immense contribution to gardening, broadcasting and steering so many of us on life’s muddy paths.”