Tommy Walsh death, Digi Mart USA News (Hackney, London): Ground Force presenter Tommy Walsh has died at the age of 69 following a “long illness,” his agent has confirmed.
The builder-turned-broadcaster fronted the BBC garden makeover programme for eight years, from 1997 to 2005. At the height of its popularity, Ground Force drew an audience of 12 million.
Walsh, who came from Hackney in London, presented the show alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock.
Walsh’s agent, Debbie Schiesser, told the Press Association: “Tommy died peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his family. As this has only just happened, we would ask everyone to please respect the family’s privacy.”
Away from Ground Force, Walsh appeared on a string of other home improvement programmes, including Homes Under The Hammer and Clean It, Fix It. His television credits also included a stint as a contestant on the weight loss show Celebrity Fit Club.
He appeared on Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank and on the quiz show Pointless.
Walsh had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2022, after a doctor found a lump during a GP appointment. The presenter went on to make a full recovery.
Before he found fame on screen, Walsh ran his own property business. One of his clients was a TV producer who invited him to a screen test, which kick-started his career in front of the camera.
He was married to his wife, Marie, and was a father to three children: Charlotte, Natalie and Jonjo.
