Tommy Walsh, Ground Force Presenter and Builder, Dies at 69
Tommy Walsh, the builder and television presenter known for Ground Force and Homes Under the Hammer, has died at 69. His agent said Walsh died peacefully after a long illness, surrounded by his family, and asked for privacy. Walsh began his career as a professional builder before becoming a familiar face on British television.
Television presenter and builder Tommy Walsh, known for Ground Force and Homes Under the Hammer, has died at 69, his agent said. Walsh’s death was announced in a statement asking for privacy for his family.
His agent said Walsh died “peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his family.”
Walsh began his career as a professional builder before becoming a familiar face on British television. He rose to prominence alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock on the BBC’s Ground Force, which ran from 1997 to 2005.
He later presented shows including Clean It, Fix It and Cowboys and Angels. Walsh joined Homes Under the Hammer in 2021.
Walsh got his television break after restoring the home of a BBC producer who was developing an idea for a program that became Ground Force. He said he initially rejected the opportunity to appear on the show three times.
In a 2004 interview, Walsh recalled viewing an early pilot. “It was like watching paint dry - it was terrible,” he said.
His daughter’s £10 bet with a schoolmate that her father would appear on television helped change his mind, Walsh said. On Ground Force, he and his co-hosts transformed gardens belonging to members of the public.
Walsh also appeared on Tommy Walsh’s Eco House, Tommy’s DIY Survival, Trading Places, Space Invaders and Fix Your House For Free, and published several DIY books.
