Charlie Dimmock, the renowned presenter of BBC’s Garden Rescue, has been embracing the single life in the New Forest after her high-profile split from former partner John Mushet, following a scandalous affair with a Ground Force colleague. The green-fingered celebrity, who shot to fame on Ground Force between 1997 and 2005, found her personal life splashed across the papers when her affair with a microphone operator was exposed.
The illicit romance spelled the end of her 13-year relationship with Mushet back in 2001. In a candid interview with The Daily Mail in 2002, Charlie opened up about the affair and its fallout, admitting: “I don’t see Andy anymore, but I don’t regret what happened. You wouldn’t do anything if you kept worrying about what might go wrong.”
Post-split, Charlie spoke about leaning on her loved ones, revealing: “John and I had been together for a long time so when we split up I relied heavily on family and close friends. I’ve discovered that the most difficult after-effect of the break-up is getting into another relationship.”
Despite subsequent rumours linking her to Barry Smith, another Ground Force sound technician, by 2016 Charlie was quite content with her solitary status. She shared her feelings on independence with the Irish Independent, declaring: “I’m going to be 50 this year. Even sharing a house with someone would be a no for me.”
“I like my own company. I like to do what I want to do, I’m very selfish like that. I don’t mind fitting in a bit, but I like to be able to get away and have the house to myself.”, reports the Mirror.
Television horticultural expert Charlie retreated from the spotlight after suffering a personal tragedy in the early ’00s. The popular presenter’s mother Sue and stepfather Rob were tragically killed when an earthquake induced tsunami ravaged Thailands coastline in 2004.
This catastrophic natural disaster left over 5,400 fatalities in its wake including 2,000 foreign tourists.
At the time of the incident, the 57 year old did not comment publicly on the tragedy. Her representative released a sombre statement noting: “It is very upsetting for her. It has been too soon for her to come to terms with it.”
When Sue and Rob were still missing, Charlies father Terry told the Evening Standard: “She is not coping well as you would expect from someone who fears they have lost their mother. Charlie is worried sick. We have not heard any news at all about Sue and Rob. Charlie had intended to fly out to Thailand but she has stayed here because the Foreign Office advised her a search would be futile.”
The famed gardener, instantly recognisable by her fiery red hair and casual style during the peak of Ground Force fame, declined work commitments over the subsequent years as she grappled with her overwhelming loss. Both Maureen, affectionately known as Sue, and Robert were aged 59 and 58 respectively when they passed.
They had both worked in public relations, residing in Romsey, Hampshire.
The celebrity later discussed the New Forest property she inherited from her mother after her passing, and how she is modifying it for her future needs. “I’m probably going to be an old dear living here with my animals, the horse and cats and dogs and I don’t want to be unable to get upstairs,” she expressed.
“I’m a gardener and we’re always planning for the next season. You have to be ahead of the game so you’re not caught out by nature and I see this as the same sort of things.”
