**Alex Jones’ Mischievous Labrador Causes a Stir at RHS Chelsea Flower Show**
Television presenter Alex Jones found her annual trip to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show taking a rather unexpected turn this week, courtesy of her energetic Labrador, Scout. The much-loved host of ‘The One Show’ revealed the story in light-hearted detail, recounting an incident involving none other than Dame Mary Berry, as well as a host of celebrity guests—and their canine companions.
The distinguished garden show, held every May in Chelsea, London, is the highlight of the horticultural calendar, attracting high-profile guests and an abundance of beautifully curated gardens. This year, a brand new feature sought to include four-legged friends. Gardeners’ World stalwart Monty Don and BBC Radio 2 teamed up to create an inclusive, dog-friendly space as part of the show’s ongoing efforts to innovate and broaden its appeal.
Jones, attending with her husband Charlie Thomson, was invited to experience the new dog-friendly garden with Scout. However, as she later admitted on the ‘Binge!’ podcast alongside McFly’s Harry Judd, keeping Scout in check amid the floral displays proved to be a challenge. The real tension arose, she explained with a chuckle, when the excitable Labrador “cocked his leg” at Dame Mary Berry—certainly not the encounter the legendary cook and beloved national treasure may have expected on her trip around the exhibits.
Sharing the story, Jones confessed, “We were invited to bring Scout along to Monty Don’s new garden at Chelsea, which was designed for dogs.” She continued, “How exactly do you explain to a Labrador that it’s fine to relieve himself in one corner, but entirely unacceptable in another, especially within eyesight of the Queen of Cakes?”
Jones recounted that the situation quickly became somewhat chaotic. “It was honestly a shambles trying to keep him focused,” she explained. “Scout tends to alternate between crouching and cocking his leg, and unfortunately, he decided to do the latter right as Dame Mary Berry was nearby!”
The day’s difficulties didn’t stop there. Not only was the event busier than usual with the inclusion of dogs, but tensions ran high between Scout and other celebrity pets. According to Jones, BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth’s dog “really took against” Scout, adding even more drama to the day. As Jones described, “I walked into the Radio 2 garden in the morning—Monty was there with Scott Mills and Jo Whiley, all of them had their dogs. As soon as we joined, the whole place erupted in barking. Scout doesn’t really bark himself, but he has this annoying, friendly energy. The older dogs seemed distinctly unimpressed with his enthusiasm!”
During a live radio segment with Scott Mills, the excitable Scout managed to pull Jones away mid-interview. “Scott barely asked me a question and I was off, dragged by Scout across the garden. They joked on air, ‘We’ve lost Alex—she’s gone!’” Jones recalled with amusement.
Despite the series of comedic misadventures, Jones made it clear that the Chelsea Flower Show remains one of her favourite annual outings. “It’s my absolute highlight of the year, apart from Christmas Day,” she said. “But this year definitely offered a different perspective—one I won’t soon forget!”
The move to make major events like Chelsea more pet-friendly signals a broader trend towards inclusion, though Jones’ lively tale highlights the accompanying challenges. While most visitors come seeking serenity among the blooms, it seems even the most prestigious of flower shows is not immune from a bit of canine chaos.
As the RHS looks to attract new audiences and update traditions for modern lifestyles, the stories emerging—including Scout’s memorable mishap—ensure the Chelsea Flower Show will continue blossoming as a quintessentially British occasion with room for surprises.