Ground Force star Tommy Walsh dies aged 69, agent confirms

The TV star, who became a household name through the BBC garden makeover show alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock, died peacefully after a long illness.

Debbie Schiesser, Mr Walsh's agent, said: "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."

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tommy Walsh. A Parmiters boy he played for the club for many years in goal but made a great career as a TV personality in shows such as Ground Force. He will be sorely missed. RIP Tommy https://t.co/EJww71LyPu

— Old Parmiterians FC (@oldparmsfc) November 9, 2026

Ground Force star Tommy Walsh dies at age 69

Mr Walsh, from Hackney, London, was a builder by trade before becoming a television personality.

Ground Force ran from 1997 to 2005 and was one of the biggest shows of its era, attracting up to 12 million viewers at its peak.

Following the show’s success, Mr Walsh went on to appear in a range of other programmes, including Homes Under The Hammer and Clean It, Fix It.

He also featured as a contestant on Celebrity Fit Club and made appearances on entertainment shows such as Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank and Pointless.

Mr Walsh had previously battled both lung and throat cancer.

He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2022 after his GP discovered a lump during an appointment about an unrelated issue.

Ground Force presenter Tommy Walsh has died at the age of 69 following a “long illness”. He was best known for fronting the BBC garden makeover show from 1997 to 2005, but also worked on Homes Under The Hammer and Clean It, Fix It. https://t.co/6Cg9mYNPHG https://t.co/9EFSbvKn3p

— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) November 9, 2026

At the time, Mr Walsh said: "I went to my GP about an unrelated issue and while I was there, he discovered this lump in my throat that he was a bit concerned about.

"He said it may be nothing but that he would rather I went and got it checked and, unfortunately, it turned out to be cancerous.

"I had to go in straight away and have surgery to remove it.

"I am now fully recovered and even back playing football."

In January 2024, it was revealed that Mr Walsh had also been diagnosed with lung cancer.

By June, he shared that the tumour was "shrinking" thanks to a new radiotherapy treatment called SABR.

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Despite his health challenges, Mr Walsh continued to work in television and remained a familiar face on British screens.

He also maintained his building business and authored several DIY books.

His entry into television came after a TV producer who was one of his clients invited him to a screen test.

Mr Walsh is survived by his wife Marie and their three children: Charlotte, Natalie, and Jonjo.