Ainsley Harriott saves sister from drowning in pond at Chelsea Flower Show

Ainsley Harriott has been hailed a hero after he saved his sister Jacqueline from drowning when she fell into a pond at the Chelsea Flower Show in London on Monday (23.05.22).

The TV chef saw his 65-year-old sibling tumble into the water feature during the first day of the annual event and he rushed to help pull her from the artfully-decorated pond.

A source told The Sun: “The garden was packed with lots of people and I think the woman must have fallen into the pond or tripped over and ended up in the water.

“I think she nearly drowned. She was pulled out by Ainsley Harriott and some other celebrities before they laid her down on the floor. She was coughing up lots of water."

Fellow TV star Nick Knowles was also present at the time of the accident and was seen standing nearby as Ainsley tended to Jacqueline while she was lying on the floor.

The report states she was treated by paramedics at the scene and the former ‘Ready Steady Cook’ presenter has since posted a message online thanking everyone at the flower show for helping.

He revealed Jacqueline is doing well, tweeting: “Just a big thank you to everyone who helped my sister when she had a fall at the Chelsea Flower Show this morning. She’s doing fine and all is well.”

Ainsley previously opened up about his relationship with Jacqueline in an interview with the Guardian, revealing she still tries to take control of his cooking even after he shot to fame as a chef.

He said: "I made something quite Caribbean-y on stage at the Commonwealth Institute many years ago, and my mother was in the audience and called out: 'Don’t forget to turn down the heat, Ainsley!'

"Then my sister shouted: 'And don’t forget to do the onions.' My sister, when she comes over, will say: 'I saw your programme the other day and you did OK.' But that’s it for the praise. I take it on the chin. She’ll stir things I’m cooking at home and take control."