Charlie Dimmock has 'no regrets' after Ground Force affair ended relationship (2024)

Charlie is best known for serving as an expert on Ground Force and Garden Rescue. (Image: BBC)

Charlie Dimmock once expressed she harboured no “regrets” after having an affair with a BBC Ground Force colleague. The gardening expert worked alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Tommy Welsh before exiting the show in 2005.

In 1997, Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Dimmock joined the now-discontinued outdoor series, Ground Force. The 57-year-old co-presented the programme for the eight years it aired before fronting her own show, Charlie’s Garden Army.

During her tenure on Ground Force, the star was in a 13-year relationship with viticulturist John Mushet. The couple lived in Hampshire after meeting in New Zealand.

However, the pair split after Charlie embarked on an affair with BBC microphone operator, Andy Simmons. Opening up about the romance in 2002, the gardener admitted she was no longer in contact with her ex-lover.

“I don't see Andy anymore, but I don't regret what happened,” she explained at the time. “You wouldn't do anything if you kept worrying about what might go wrong.”

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The star previously admitted she is no longer in contact with her co-star. (Image: GETTY)

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the Garden Rescue co-host admitted the initial split from John was difficult to process.

“John and I had been together for a long time so when we split up I relied heavily on family and close friends,” she explained. "I've discovered that the most difficult after-effect of the break-up is getting into another relationship.”

While Charlie has tirelessly worked to transform outdoor areas into dream utopias for years, her career has come at the cost of her own garden. In 2019, the presenter admitted to Express.co.uk that her yard isn’t always ready to welcome guests.

"Firstly I have to say my garden isn't always in tip-top condition,” she began.

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Garden Rescue is available to watch every Monday on BBC One. (Image: BBC)

“Unfortunately I tend to be away working at the more critical busy times (spring and summer) so I often get behind.

“With all gardens, it's best to do maintenance frequently and regularly that way you actually make the maintenance easier.”

Charlie added: “I’m going to try and make my garden look good because I’ve been doing this so long, it looks like a disaster area!”

This month, the Hampshire native is set to return with the ninth instalment of Garden Rescue.

The television presenter will go head-to-head with Chris Hull and Flo Headlam this season as they compete to convert gardens in Wales, Merseyside and Bedfordshire.

Garden Rescue returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Monday, 29 April at 3.45pm.