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Iconic BBC presenter Charlie Dimmock first made waves across the nation in 1997 as the beloved Ground Force co-host alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Tommy Walsh. She instantly became a fan favourite as she shared gardening tips and helped viewers undergo their garden makeover. Almost 20 years after the series ended, Charlie remains a key presence on screens as she continues to transform lacklustre outdoor spaces alongside a team of top designers on Garden Rescue.

The 59-year-old made her big comeback to screens in 2016 following an 11-year TV hiatus in which she opted to instead focus on her career as a professional gardener. At the time, Charlie told Times Radio: "People think that if you're suddenly not on telly, you've stopped working. That doesn't happen because we all have mortgages to pay. I had been on TV a very long time, but I had always been doing other things. Ground Force ran its course. It was of its time. It was good fun, very enjoyable, and it had its run." The presenter added: "I've been busy. At the end of the day, I do have a real job. I'm a gardener. I do garden design.

"I've been doing a lot of work with dementia homes, at flower shows, giving demonstrations, and working on cruises. I've been pootling around doing quite a lot of things."

However, away from her career, Charlie has endured numerous challenges, including the breakdown of her marriage in 2001.

The TV star, who was previously in a relationship with her long-term partner John Musheet, indulged in an affair with Ground Force microphone operator Andy Simmons, which sparked a scandal during her time on the programme.

Charlie previously opened up about the affair and maintained that she "doesn'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".

In 2002, she admitted: "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 then went on to date another member of the programme's crew, sound technician Barry Smith.

A few years after the break-up, the presenter suffered a terrible tragedy as her mother, Sue Kennedy, and stepfather, Rob, died during the Boxing Day Tsunami, while on holiday in Phuket, Thailand.

While she did not speak on their deaths at the time, a statement from Charlie's agent read: "It is very upsetting for her. It has been too soon for her to come to terms with it. She is coping day by day at the moment. We have promised her that we will protect her."