A gardening programme welcomed an unexpected guest when a resident grey cat casually wandered onto the stage during a live recording in Devon.
The surprise appearance happened during a recording of Gardeners’ Question Time at a countryside animal sanctuary in Sidmouth.
Around 150 gardening enthusiasts were in the audience.
A Special Day for Garden Lovers
Visitors arrived with a wide variety of gardening questions for the expert panel.
Topics included caring for plants during dry weather and growing unusual produce.
One audience member even brought along locally grown kiwi fruit as part of their question.
The venue’s gardens also provided the perfect setting for a programme dedicated to horticulture.
Then Beau Made His Entrance
Partway through the recording, the sanctuary’s resident cat, Beau, apparently decided the experts needed some extra company.
The grey cat calmly walked onto the stage alongside the panellists.
His unexpected entrance quickly caught the attention of the audience.
It also sparked plenty of laughter.
A Brief Moment in the Spotlight
Beau’s appearance did not last long.
A member of staff gently escorted him away from the stage so the programme could continue.
But by then, he had already created one of the most memorable moments of the recording.
For a cat who was not officially on the guest list, he certainly knew how to make an entrance.
Gardens Play an Important Role Too
The event was particularly special for the team responsible for maintaining the sanctuary’s landscaped grounds.
Visitors can explore gardens throughout the site alongside meeting its resident animals.
The grounds include carefully maintained planting areas designed to provide an enjoyable and peaceful experience throughout the year.
A Programme With a Long History
Gardeners’ Question Time has been entertaining and helping gardeners for decades.
First broadcast in 1947, the programme has answered tens of thousands of gardening questions over the years.
It continues to travel around the country, recording episodes with local audiences and gardening experts.
More Than Just Donkeys
The Devon sanctuary is home to hundreds of donkeys, but its gardens have become an attraction in their own right.
It also features a garden originally created for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and later relocated to the site.
And apparently, the sanctuary has another attraction too.
Visitors hoping to see the gardens and donkeys may want to keep an eye out for Beau — especially if there happens to be a stage nearby.