Charlie Dimmock has been delighting viewers for over two decades, and some will remember that he began renovating gardens as far back as 1997 on the BBC’s Ground Force.
But the TV star, 57, became a household name after joining Garden Rescue in 2016, where she is known for her renovation skills as she built and designed gardens for various homeowners.
After her pivotal role on Ground Force alongside Tommy Walsh and Alan Titchmarsh from 1997 to 2005, she had her own series Charlie’s Gardening Neighbors in 2001, which ran for one season.
It’s clear that gardening has always been Charlie’s true passion, as he also joined some of Britain’s most renowned gardeners on BBC Two’s Great British Garden Revival from 2013 to 2015.
Charlie Dimmock (far right) has been delighting viewers for over two decades, and some will remember that he began renovating gardens as far back as 1997 on the BBC’s Ground Force (pictured in 2022 on Garden Rescue).
But the TV star, 57, became a household name after joining Garden Rescue in 2016, where she is known for her renovation skills as she builds and designs gardens for various homeowners.
FIRST DAYS
Charlie studied horticulture and trained at Chelsea Physic Garden, and soon took on Ground Force, his first successful role.
At the time, the star managed to steal hearts even while busy with the grueling task, and speaking in 2014, she said: “It was all very silly.” I remember Esther Rantzen telling me, ‘You will be referred to as the braless one for the rest of your life.’
“People still tell me about it. Some of them are male fans, others are female.
BECOME A HOUSEHOLD NAME IN GARDEN RESCUE
In July 2016, Charlie began presenting Garden Rescue, joining fellow experts Lee Burkhill, Flo Headlam and Chris Hull in a bid to turn untreated gardens into stunning outdoor spaces.
He initially presented the show alongside brothers Harry and David Rich, attracting 12 million viewers at its peak, until they all left the show in 2021.
He began presenting at Ground Force alongside Tommy Walsh and Alan Titchmarsh (pictured together in 2000) from 1997 to 2005.
It’s clear that gardening has always been Charlie’s true passion, and the star also had her own series Charlie’s Gardening Neighbors in 2001, which ran for one season (pictured in 1997).
A BREAK FROM TV
After appearing on screens for quite some time, Charlie returned to screens in 2016, but not before taking an 11-year break from appearing and presenting on television.
Speaking on Radio Times, he explained about his hiatus from showbiz: “People think that if you’re suddenly not on TV, you stop working.
‘That doesn’t happen, because we all have mortgages to pay.
‘I had been in television for a long time (from 1997 to 2005), but I had always been doing other things. Ground Force continued its course. It was from his time. It was a lot of fun, a lot of fun and it was successful.’
She went on to add: ‘I’ve been busy. At the end of the day I have a real job. I am a gardener.
‘I dedicate myself to garden design. I have worked extensively in dementia homes, at flower shows, giving demonstrations and working on cruise ships. I’ve been running around and doing a lot of things.
PERSONAL LIFE
The TV favorite is rumored to be single at the moment, but previously enjoyed a romance with vintner John Mushet.
The couple met in the early 1990s during a trip Charlie took to New Zealand and settled down once they returned home.
Charlie studied horticulture and trained at Chelsea Physic Garden, and soon took on Ground Force, his first successful role (pictured in 1999).
In July 2016, Charlie began presenting Garden Rescue, joining fellow experts Lee Burkhill, Flo Headlam and Chris Hull in a bid to turn untreated gardens into stunning outdoor spaces (pictured LR Flo, Lee, Charlie and Chris).
Charlie took an 11-year break from television before returning to the screen in 2016 (pictured in 2007)
However, the couple never married and eventually split in 2001, after the presenter had an affair with then-Ground Force microphone operator Andy Simmons, and a year later admitted that she “doesn’t see Andy anymore”.
In 2002 he added: “But I don’t regret what happened.” You wouldn’t do anything if you kept worrying about what could go wrong.
‘John and I had been together for a long time, so when we split up, I relied heavily on my family and close friends.
“I have discovered that the most difficult aftereffect of a breakup is getting into another relationship.”
The host also hung out with another member of Ground Force’s off-camera crew: sound technician Barry Smith.
Charlie opened up about his marriage prospects while speaking exclusively to Daily Mail: ‘I think I’m too old now. I don’t see anything happening when it comes to romance; Someone would really have to blow me away. I’m quite happy without a man in my life.
Tragically, the gardener’s life suffered further upheaval during the final years of the successful outdoor show, when her mother and stepfather died in Thailand’s Boxing Day tsunami in 2004, while on holiday in Phuket.
The TV favorite is rumored to be single at the moment, but previously enjoyed a romance with vintner John Mushet; The couple met in the early 1990s during a trip Charlie took to New Zealand and settled down once they returned home (pictured in 2000).
The groundskeeper split from John in 2001 after an affair with Ground Force microphone operator Andy Simmons; He also dated another member of the Ground Force off-camera crew: soundman Barry Smith (pictured in 1997).
The TV star did not speak about the tragedy at the time, but her agent said in a statement: “It is very upsetting for her.” She was too early to accept it.
‘She’s just getting by day to day right now. We have promised her that we will protect her.
Garden Rescue returns today on BBC One at 3.45pm from the Merseyside village of Port Sunlight.
