BBC Ground Force’s Charlie Dimmock’s affair with co-star that ended 13 year relationship

Garden Rescue star Charlie Dimmock has been enjoying single life post-split from long-time beau, John Mushet which made headlines 20 years ago.

Charlie, a firm BBC favourite since her Ground Force days between 1997 and 2005, became prime tabloid material when news broke of her affair with a microphone operator.

In reflection, during a 2002 chat with The Daily Mail, she mused: "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-breakup wasn't a walk in the park for Charlie. She candidly shared: "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."

Charlie Dimmock on Garden Rescue

Whispers of a romance with Barry Smith, a sound technician also working on Ground Force circulated, but by 2016 Charlie was loving her singledom. Speaking to the Irish Independent, she let slip: "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."

TV gardening guru Charlie Dimmock took a step back from the limelight following a devastating family tragedy in the early 2000s. The 'Ground Force' star was left heartbroken after her mother Sue and stepfather Rob tragically lost their lives in the catastrophic tsunami that struck Thailand's coast in 2004.

Charlie Dimmock pictured attending the The Chelsea Flower Show

At the time, Charlie, who was 57, kept her grief private, with her representative releasing a statement saying: "It is very upsetting for her. It has been too soon for her to come to terms with it."

Known for her vibrant red hair and laid-back presenting style on 'Ground Force', Charlie Dimmock declined new projects for several years while mourning her profound loss. Her mother, affectionately known as Sue, was 59, and her stepfather Robert was 58; both were PR consultants hailing from Romsey in Hampshire.

The star later spoke about the New Forest home she inherited from her mother following her death and how she was adapting it in preparation for when she is older.

Charlie Dimmock, Alan Titchmarsh, Tommy Walsh

Charlie revealed she would be growing old there with lots of animals from horses to cats and dogs and insisted as a gardener she would be ‘planning for the next season’.