Love gardening programmes and flower shows? Then you're in luck! As much-loved series Gardeners' World has returned to screens.
Alongside regular presenter Monty Don, the green-figured presenter Rachel de Thame is a familiar face to viewers. Want to know more about the TV star? Here's all the information you need…
Biography
Rachel de Thame, 61, is a gardener, presenter and former actress who has become a regular face on TV and in the media thanks to her successful career. She grew up in north London and inherited a love for the outdoors and plants for her father.
It's clear Rachel has many skills and talents up her sleeve! As a child, she trained at the prestigious Royal Ballet School at White Lodge in Richmond to a high standard but decided to move away from her professional dancing at the age of 15.
Career
After ballet, Rachel went onto acting and secured a number of roles in shows such as Merlin and the film, Bodywork. She also worked a number of modelling jobs before embarking on her career in horticulture. Rachel then enrolled for two years at the English Gardening School to study a course in Practical Horticulture and Plants & Plantsmanship.
Soon after, she successfully landed a spot presenting on Gardeners' World and to this day makes regular appearances alongside many of the show's fan favourites. The presenter is also known for fronting her own series' such as Small Town Gardens and Gardening with the Experts.
Family
Rachel is well-known for her TV and garden work, but you might be less familiar with her personal life. In 1986, she married her first husband, Stephen Colover, with whom she welcomed two children, Lauren and Joe. However, the marriage wasn't to last and the pair divorced in the early 90s.
In 1999, Rachel then married Gerard de Thame, and they welcomed two daughters, Emma and Olivia. The family live in West London but have a home in Cotswolds, too.
Rachel's daughter Lauren is a talented illustrator and she joined forces with her mum earlier in the year, providing drawings for the star's book, A Flower Garden for Pollinators.
Health
In 2018, Rachel was diagnosed with breast cancer, going public with her health battle when fans noticed she was absent from Gardeners' World. "I haven't been hiding, but I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of the year and so I have been undergoing treatment for that," she explained. "I'm doing well and coming towards the end of it."
Rachel made a full recovery and she spoke of the importance of gardening for a person's health, sharing: "I know there's a big message this year at Chelsea about the importance of gardening for your general health and mental health, if you're going through some chronic illness, whatever it is, it's vital to go out and be in a garden."