Canadians are shocked that beloved media personality Frank Ferragine, AKA Frankie Flowers, is retiring after 20 years on Breakfast Television.
Ferragine shared the news this morning on the show, revealing that he will be stepping away at the end of May.
“I want to go and take some time and go back to the things that ground me most,” he shared. “My boys, my family, my garden. Spend some time with the amazing community that supported me. Continue to grow in other ways.”
A graduate from York University, Ferragine worked at his family business, Bradford Greenhouses, before becoming a media personality.
Ferragine hosted various gardening segments and programs in the 1990s, before beginning his career as a Garden and Weather Specialist with Breakfast Television in February 2005.
“The experiences that I’ve had over these two decades are so wonderful that I really think that’s important for someone else to shine in this spotlight,” he explained.
He explained that while he is stepping into retirement, he hopes to return to the show with different segments.
“Like a perennial, he’s always going to come back,” BT Co-host Dina Pugliese joked, adding that she knows he will return to the program when he is ready.
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Ferraigne shared that before appearing as a weather specialist, he had appeared on the show as a guest and filled in when needed. Having believed he would only be a part of the Breakfast Television team for a short time, he explained that he can’t believe how quickly two decades have passed.
“They always say the days can be long but time is short, and time is indeed short,” he told Pugliese and her co-host Tim Bolen.
Ferragine has received multiple accolades for his work, including Citizen of the Year in Bradford West Gwillumbury, Landscape Garden Communicator of the Year, which he has been named four times, and Toronto Sun’s Favourite Weather Personality, which he has been awarded 10 times.
FANS REACT TO FERRAGINE’S RETIREMENT
Following the announcement, reactions have been pouring in online, with fans sharing their appreciation for Ferragine.
“Congratulations! We the viewers who have been with you for those 20 years will miss you terribly. But well deserved, especially to be with your boys and to sleep in. Thanks for your integrity and stableness,” one fan said on Instagram. “Also for the tip to put coffee grounds outside in garden or on [the] balcony to keep squirrels away. It worked for me.”
“All the best, Frankie. You will be missed. BT will not be the same without you,” another person said on X.
“Aww, I remember when Frankie Flowers started. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years. Enjoy sleeping in (a bit) Frank.”
While other people could not help but notice the frequent changes recently happening at Breakfast Television, which is owned by Rogers Media.
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“You are the only person that kept me watching. RIP BT television,” one person wrote on Instagram.
“The show has gone to pot. I don’t even recognize it anymore. Even the set looks bad. Dina is the only good thing,” another person said.
“Better than being marched out on a Friday by Rogers big wigs.”
