'Fast climber' sums up Chris Beardshaw's first years in television - beginning in the fertile plains of TV gardening programmes and blooming in 2003 with no fewer than four prestigious series - Gardeners' World, Hidden Gardens, The Flying Gardener and Winter Flying Gardener.

But Chris is more than a TV gardener: a highly qualified horticulturalist he brings deep and special knowledge to all his work. Chris studied horticulture at Pershore where he also lectured for four and a half years before managing the plant research and development division of one of the largest wholesale nurseries in the country. He also gained an MA in Landscape Architecture from Cheltenham.

Chris's TV career began in 1999 as the expert on Surprise Gardeners for Carlton TV. From here he was potted-on to BBC TV and Real Rakeovers, again as the expert contributor. His first show as sole presenter was Weekend Gardener for UKTV Style in 2000 and in the same year he co-presented Gardening Neighbours for BBC 2. Three series of Housecall followed and in 2000 Chris joined Gardeners' World Live as a specialist presenter. From here it was a short jump to Gardeners' World itself as an integral team member alongside Monty Don and Rachel De Thame.

Chris lectures and writes, has a thriving garden-design business and still finds time for his other big passion in life - diving!