TV viewers see Alan Titchmarsh's garden makeover surprise for war hero Nathan Cumberland

Royalty played a part in the big reveal of a war hero’s new garden on television.

Viewers’ favourite Alan Titchmarsh heaped surprises on Nathan Cumber-land and his family when he not only revealed the transformation of their garden, but also showed the former Grenadier Guard a message of support and thanks from Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

The countess is the patron of the charity where Nathan works, the Defence Medical Welfare Service and said the garden makeover for ITV’s Love Your Garden, which was shown on Tuesday, was richly-deserved.

The programme transforms gardens for deserving people put forward by the public.

Nathan was nominated by a charity that supports serving and ex Forces’ personnel and their families, the Newark Patriotic Fund.

He found out when the television presenter poked his head around the door at Nathan’s workplace, the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham.

Nathan was six weeks into his third tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2009 when he was caught in a blast while leading a foot patrol.

He lost both his legs but, despite his injuries, continued to direct his young and inexperienced Guardsmen through the resulting Taliban ambush.

The television programme showed Nathan and his wife, Rachael, overwhelmed by the transformation of their Fernwood garden.

Nathan said resin walkways greatly assisted his mobility around the garden, which was previously very difficult.

"The garden is now the focal point of the house," Nathan said.

"We have even had strangers knock on the door asking to see it — fans of Love Your Garden and Alan Titchmarsh, and people who heard the design team were here.

"Previously I could not really go outside but now the garden is there to be used.

"I cannot believe how much there is in it for the size. The landscapers said it was one of their favourites for that reason."

Each part of the makeover was a wish-list from a member of the Cumberland family — Nathan wanted a bar and barbecue area for entertaining, Rachael a summerhouse, and their son Harry, 7, a climbing frame.

What they got exceeded their expectations.

In addition to a barbecue and bar, which is mounted on pillars made of cages containing pebbles, Nathan has an outdoor fridge.

The summerhouse has patio doors that can slide back so it becomes a room that connects with the garden, and the climbing frame is a bespoke Jurassic design with a net walkway and slide, featuring dinosaurs — Harry’s favourite.

There is a sculpture of the Grenadier cap badge on a garden fence as a reminder to Nathan of what he achieved with the Guards, and a handmade water feature.

Filming took place in April while the family stayed in a hotel.

In the intervening two months since the reveal, Nathan has put the barbecue area to good use, hosting parties for family, friends and neighbours.

Rachael uses her summerhouse for craftwork and Harry, who helps with the maintenance of the garden to earn pocket money, is never far from his climbing frame.

The reaction of family and friends was featured in the programme.

Alan Titchmarsh told viewers that despite having learned to walk on two prosthetic legs, Nathan could not enjoy his old garden with his family.

He described Nathan as a big man with a big heart, saying it was humbling to meet someone who had battled back from horrendous injuries and now helped others.

He said it had been a challenging garden to create and wished the Cumberlands many happy years in it.

During the programme, Nathan said his family was a massive part of his life and without their support he did not think he would be here.

Nathan said: "To see the garden for the first time was a surprise.

"We did not expect them to do as much as they did.

"It is amazing and we cannot thank them enough."