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TV Star Tommy Walsh Dies at 69
Confirmed
In Short: DIY expert Tommy Walsh, known for shows like Ground Force and Homes Under the Hammer, has died at age 69.
Walsh began his career as a professional builder before becoming a household name alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock on the BBC's Ground Force from 1997 to 2005.
He initially turned down the opportunity to star on Ground Force three times, but his eight-year-old daughter's bet convinced him to participate.
Walsh's agent confirmed that he died 'peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his family' and requested privacy for the family.
Throughout his career, Walsh starred in numerous shows including Clean It, Fix It, Cowboys and Angels, and Tommy Walsh's Eco House.
Walsh had previously undergone surgery for throat cancer in 2022 and lung cancer in 2023, and had announced in June 2024 that the disease had returned for a third time.
In addition to his TV work, Walsh authored several DIY books and was a former goalkeeper for Parmiters School's football team.
The news of his passing has been met with sadness from fans and colleagues.
Walsh's contributions to television and DIY culture have left a lasting impact on viewers and the industry.
What's confirmed
- Tommy Walsh, the building and DIY expert known for starring on TV shows including Ground Force, Homes Under the Hammer and Challenge Tommy Walsh, has died at the age of 69.
- Walsh started his career as a professional builder before rising to fame alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock on the BBC's Ground Force from 1997 to 2005.
- Walsh was previously reported to have had surgery for throat cancer in 2022 and lung cancer in 2023.
- Walsh's agent told BBC News he died "peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his family", and asked for privacy for the family.
- He found a winning formula with his co-stars, who performed makeovers on gardens belonging to members of the public.
- His other shows included Tommy Walsh's Eco House, Tommy's DIY Survival, Trading Places, Space Invaders and Fix Your House For Free; and he published a number of DIY books.
- Walsh (left) starred with Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock on Ground Force Walsh got his big break on TV after restoring the house of a BBC producer who was working on ideas for a show that would turn into Ground Force.
What's still developing
- "It was like watching paint dry - it was terrible." Walsh said he initially turned down the chance to star on the show three times - but agreed when his eight-year-old daughter told him she had made a £10 bet with a boy at school that her dad was going to be on TV.
- The former Ground Force star - who worked on the gardening makeover show from 1997 until it ended in 2005 - passed away following a "long illness", his representative confirmed on Monday (09.11.26).
- The Homes Under the Hammer star revealed in June 2024 that the disease had returned for a third time, but was confident his treatment had "worked really well".