Inside Charlie Dimmock's personal turmoil from affair with Ground Force co-star to tragedy

Charlie Dimmock, the renowned gardening expert and television presenter, marked her 58th birthday today. The on-screen star has experienced a rollercoaster of events in her life, including an affair that left Ground Force fans utterly gobsmacked.

The horticultural whizz became a household name through the beloved garden transformation show, where she worked alongside fellow presenters Alan Titchmarsh and Tommy Walsh. At its peak, Ground Force captivated over 12 million viewers, who were charmed by the dynamic and enthusiasm of the gardening trio.

Yet, away from the cameras, Charlie's life took a dramatic turn when she engaged in an unexpected affair, which she later declared she had "no regrets" about. During her time on Ground Force, she also endured a profound personal tragedy that resulted in her stepping back from work for two years.

Express Online takes a peek into the Garden Rescue star's life beyond her botanical pursuits.

Despite the massive popularity of Ground Force, Charlie's stint on the show was overshadowed by a sensational scandal as she mixed her professional and private lives. In 2001, she ended her relationship with long-time beau John Mushet after an affair with the programme's microphone operator, Andy Simmons, came to light.

In a candid discussion about the affair back in 2002, Charlie admitted she "doesn't see Andy anymore". She boldly stated, "But I don't regret what happened. You wouldn't do anything if you kept worrying about what might go wrong," revealing her stance on the matter.

"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."

Following her split from John, Charlie began dating Barry Smith, a sound technician from the show's crew. However, a few years later, she suffered an unimaginable loss when her mother and stepfather were tragically killed in the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004 while holidaying in Phuket, Thailand.

At the time, Charlie kept quiet about the tragedy, but her agent released a statement saying: "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."

According to The Daily Mail, Charlie took a two-year hiatus from work following the tragic event.

Since then, her career has expanded beyond gardening, including a brief stint as an actress in the 2010 touring production of Calendar Girls.

She has since returned to our screens on the BBC makeover programme Garden Rescue, where she competes with garden designers The Rich Brothers to create stunning outdoor spaces for homeowners across the country.