The broadcaster – known nationally for her appearances on BBC Radio Four's Gardeners' Question Time – has been passing on green-fingered tips to Yellowbellies for the past 29 years.

However, the Beeb decided to stop using the Surfleet horticulturalist following a complaint about her behaviour at the station's Discover Nature event during the Bank Holiday weekend at the beginning of the month.

Daphne, 64, admits sowing the seeds of her own downfall after a rare alcoholic drink.

She said: "My husband John and I were staying in our caravan at the event near Lincoln, working voluntarily on behalf of Radio Lincolnshire, and for two days I barely ate anything.

"I don't drink at all now. I can't take alcohol since I had my operation for cancer last year.

"On this particular occasion I made the mistake of having a few glasses of wine at a drinks welcome evening and I behaved disgracefully, I know

I did, and I have apologised to the people concerned."
Radio Lincolnshire managing editor Charlie Partridge was quick to distance the station from the presenter, pointing out she worked on a freelance basis.

He said: "We are no longer using Daphne Ledward on Radio Lincolnshire.
"Daphne is an independent journalist and has never been an employee of ours. We've had a good relationship over the years.
"All we've said is 'Daphne, we're not going to use you in the future'."

Many listeners will be sad to hear they can no-longer tune in to pick up gardening tips from the Lincolnshire favourite.

They may be even more upset to learn Daphne has chosen to cancel many of her upcoming personal engagements.

She added: "As 95 per cent of the bookings I have this summer are for local projects and local charities through my connection with Radio Lincolnshire, I feel I can't go to any of them and have made the decision to cancel.

"I've had 30 years of never feeling my life is entirely my own because of being in the public eye.

"This business has made John and I realise it's time we started thinking of ourselves, and time we took a break."

In November 2008 Daphne and presenter Sue Taylor won a Best Local Radio Feature award for their one-off programme Gardening with Mini-People.

The nature of the complaint has not been made public.

Fans can keep in contact with Daphne by logging on to www.daphneledward.com