TV presenter Jim McColl, who ran the BBC’s Beechgrove Garden for more than 40 years, has died aged 89.

The horticulturist hosted the show since its creation in 1978 and continued until his retirement in 2019.

Mr McColl’s death was announced by his family via the BBC, with many paying tributes to the expert gardener.

In a statement, the McColl family said: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Jim McColl, husband, father and grandfather, who passed away peacefully yesterday.

“He will be greatly missed not only by us, but also by his friends, colleagues and the entire nation with whom he shared his passion for gardening for over four decades at Beechgrove Garden.”

Jim in his element in a Beechgrove flower garden

The original garden, which was planned, maintained and managed throughout the year, was based at the BBC studios on Beechgrove Terrace, Aberdeen.

Mr McColl and his co-presenter George Barron fronted the first TV show aimed at gardeners in Scotland, taking into account the differences in the growing season north of the border.

Originally from Kilmarnock in Ayrshire – where his father worked as a gardening supervisor for the area’s parks – Mr McColl studied horticulture at the West of Scotland Agricultural College, now part of the Scottish Agricultural College.

He then worked for the Department of Agriculture, where he was based in Leicester, advising commercial growers.

He married Billie in 1959 and with their son Douglas and daughter Jennifer they later moved to Aberdeen where he taught at what was known as North College.

He also worked on setting up a waste energy project at the Glen Garioch distillery in Aberdeenshire, before taking on the television role that made him famous.

In recent years, Mr McColl suffered from neuropathy, a condition which affected his ability to grasp objects correctly.

Longtime host Jim McColl worked on the show for decades

Harry Bell, managing director of Tern TV, which produces the show on behalf of the BBC, said: “Here’s to ‘our’ lovely Jim, who for four decades brought us Beechgrove Garden with a spring in his step, a twinkle in his eye and a kind word for everyone.

“We will miss you. You were first a local hero, then a Scottish national treasure.

“Thank you for your immense contribution to gardening, broadcasting and guiding so many of us through the muddy paths of life.”

Mr McColl’s life and achievements were celebrated in a BBC Scotland documentary, Jim McColl at 80, in 2015 and he received the Royal Television Society Scotland Award in 2016.

As part of the documentary, he said: “You are very influenced by your environment and that was part of mine.”

The Beechgrove Garden was a huge success, spawning live broadcasts, a radio spin-off and making Mr McColl a household name.

For his services and dedication to horticulture and gardening, Mr McColl was awarded the Scottish Horticultural Medal in 1982 and then the MBE in 1996.

Prime Minister John Swinney paid tribute, writing: “I am very sorry to read this news. Jim McColl was renowned for his role in Beechgrove Garden and was much admired.

Conservative MP Douglas Lumsden said: “Sad to hear of the passing of Jim McColl from Beechgrove. I remember when I was little going to the Beechgrove open day and chatting to Jim.

Meanwhile, BBC Scotland acting director Geraldine McCartney said: “His expert gardening advice and wisdom on The Beechgrove Garden has been invaluable to green-fingered viewers over the decades and he will be missed much to all.”