Charlie Dimmock was once forced to shut down comparisons between herself and fellow gardening presenter Rachel de Thame.
MORE: Charlie Dimmock comes under fire after using controversial method on Garden Rescue
At the time, while Charlie was a well-known name among TV viewers thanks to her presenting duties on Ground Force, Rachel was a newcomer in the world of gardening presenting and had barely begun her career but was already being hailed the "new Charlie Dimmock".
WATCH: Are you a fan of Garden Rescue?
While chatting to The Sunday Mirror back in 2000, Charlie was asked whether TV chiefs had deliberately made Rachel "totally different (yet equally as sexy)" as her, Charlie replied: "I don't think TV bosses think like that.Or am I being naive?"
She added: "But if you're asking me if it worries me that Rachel is there - of course it doesn't."
MORE: Garden Rescue: why you’ll never see Charlie Dimmock’s own garden
MORE: Charlie Dimmock has 'no regrets' about Ground Force affair that ended 13-year relationship
Elsewhere in the interview, when Charlie was asked the advice she would give Rachel for the future, she urged the newcomer to strive for sincerity and happiness above all else.
© Photo: RexRachel has become a regular face on Gardeners' World with Monty Don
"I'd tell her to be truthful and enjoy it," she said - and it certainly seems like Rachel has heeded Charlie's wise words.
MORE: All you need to know about Gardeners' World presenter Rachel de Thame
Since bursting onto the scene in the early noughties, Rachel has maintained a successful career as a gardening presenter and writer. She makes regular appearances on Gardeners' World alongside host Monty Don. The 60-year-old is also known for fronting her own series' such as Small Town Gardens and Gardening with the Experts.
Meanwhile, Charlie is back on screens in a brand new series of BBC Two's Garden Rescue which sees the 55-year-old and fellow expert gardeners compete to design gardens for homeowners around the country. Each comes up with a design to suit the space and the budget and the garden owner chooses which gets built.
Like this story? Sign up to our What to Watch newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.
