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Charlie Dimmock: Who is the Garden Rescue star and when is she next on our screens?

Photo credit: Rune Hellestad - Corbis
Photo credit: Rune Hellestad - Corbis

When it comes to curling up with a cuppa after a busy day, there’s no better accompaniment than a bit of soothing gardening TV.

And whether we’re picking up inspirational tips for ourselves, or just being wowed by a magical makeover of an unloved space, it’s presenters like Charlie Dimmock who make these shows so special.

As the host of Garden Rescue since 2016, and Ground Force before that, she’s been creating heavenly green spaces on our screens for over two decades now.

In fact she’s such a green-fingered goddess that we’ve decided to invite her on our amazing 2022 gardening holiday for Prima readers. Over seven days you’ll sail around Holland’s pretty canals and rivers, exploring the country’s most colourful spots. Plus, you'll get to ask Charlie everything you like during a fun Q&A.

TRAVEL WITH CHARLIE IN 2022

Here's the lowdown on the beloved TV presenter's life and career so far, from when she'll next be on Garden Rescue to what she did before she became a TV star.

Who is Charlie Dimmock?

After making her name on hit gardening show Ground Force, Charlie has been giving out gardening tips and tricks for nearly 25 years.

Nowadays she’s best known as one of the presenters on BBC One’s Garden Rescue, where she competes with her co-presenters, garden designers Harry and David Rich, and actor Arit Anderson, to revamp people’s outdoor spaces and turn them into gorgeous gardens.

When does the new series of Garden Rescue start?

Garden Rescue has been on BBC One since 2016, with the team doing some serious garden makeovers up and down the country for five seasons now.

Applications for the sixth series of Garden Rescue closed at the end of 2020, and series six will start showing on BBC One from May 24th at 3.45pm – so Garden Rescue addicts don’t have too long to wait for new episodes!

There’ll also be some new faces joining the team, with garden designers Lee Bukhill, Flo Headlam and Chris Hull set to take part in the new series.

How old is Charlie Dimmock?

Charlie was born in August 1966 and will be turning 55 later this year. She’s been on TV since the 1990s, making a name for herself on Ground Force, which ran from 1997 to 2005, and featured fellow famous gardener Alan Titchmarsh.

In 2016, she told the Warrington Guardian: “My main memory of Ground Force was laughing lots. When we first started filming we were polite to each other... but by the third series we were like family.”

What did Charlie Dimmock do before being on TV?

Charlie has loved gardening since her childhood growing up in Hampshire. After working at a local garden centre during her teens, she decided to study for a BTEC in horticulture.

She then trained for a year at the famous Chelsea Physic Garden in London. It was after working on a garden for ITV Meridian that she was discovered by TV producer John Thornicroft, who would go on to make Ground Force.

Which TV shows has Charlie Dimmock appeared on?

Charlie is now one of the UK’s favourite gardening experts, presenting on Ground Force and Garden Rescue.

MEET CHARLIE IN HOLLAND

She also made Charlie's Garden Army between 1999 and 2000, and has written handy books, including Enjoy Your Garden, and popular newspaper columns. Outside of gardening, Charlie appeared on the 2006 series of Celebrity MasterChef.

What is Charlie Dimmock doing now?

When she’s not presenting Garden Rescue, Charlie is involved in charity work and sells her own range of gardening equipment.

Photo credit: John Phillips - Getty Images
Photo credit: John Phillips - Getty Images

She’s also a brilliant speaker, which is why we’ve chosen her to join us on an amazing spring 2022 gardening tour of Holland. While there, you'll get the chance to chat to Charlie during a Q&A, as well as visit the fabulous once-in-a-decade Floriade Expo, one of the world’s greatest floral events.

What inspired Charlie Dimmock to be a gardening presenter?

Charlie has been a strong advocate for the mental health benefits of gardening, telling the Garden Press Event in 2018 that: "It's not only the physical side, it's mentally [beneficial]. Just being outside because you feel different in different weather and seasons."

She also stresses that gardening is for everybody, telling the Warrington Guardian that "everyone can do it. It’s just a case of being inspired", and adding that "the wonderful thing is that people are a lot more into growing fruit and veg at home".

Is Charlie Dimmock married?

Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2014, the presenter described herself as "quite content without a man in [her] life", but admitted that she’d had some out of the blue marriage proposals over the years, including one "from Australia, from some farmer in the middle of the outback".

She’s also turned some famous heads in her time, with former South African president Nelson Mandela telling her she looked like one of the Spice Girls in 2000.

Is she related to the Rich Brothers?

Their obvious on-screen chemistry has made some viewers ask if Charlie’s Garden Rescue co-presenters Harry and David Rich are related to her.

While Harry and David are themselves brothers, Charlie isn’t strictly part of the family. However there’s no doubt that over five series (and counting!) of conjuring magical green spaces out of ordinary gardens, a close bond has developed between the team.

How can I meet Charlie Dimmock?

You can meet Charlie yourself on an exclusive cruise through Holland with Prima.

Exploring some of the Netherlands' most charming old towns on a stylish ship, you’ll be in gardening heaven as you visit the world-famous Floriade flower festival.

You will also enjoy optional excursions like a stroll around the 17 themed gardens at De Kruidhof Botanical Garden, the largest botanical garden in the Netherlands.

Meet Charlie Dimmock and see Holland’s prettiest flower gardens in spring with Prima.

FIND OUT MORE


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