Ground Force star Tommy Walsh has died aged 69 following a ‘long illness’.
The TV star’s death was confirmed by his agent Debbie Schiesser on Monday who told Daily Mail: ‘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.’
The presenter worked alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock on the BBC Two garden makeover programme Ground Force from 1997 until it ended in 2005.
It was one of the biggest shows of its time, pulling in 12 million viewers at its peak.
Tommy also worked on Homes Under the Hammer and Flip That House with Tommy Walsh.
His most recent television appearances included BBC makeover show Clean It, Fix It hosted by Mark Wright, which ended last year.
While the cause of death has not been revealed, Tommy had previously battled lung and throat cancer.
Ground Force star Tommy Walsh has died dead aged 69 following a ‘long illness’. (Pictured at his last public appearance at St Joseph’s Hospice for a flower campaign, taken last year)
The presenter worked alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock on the BBC garden makeover programme Ground Force from 2007 until it ended in 2015.
In 2024, Tommy had said he was ‘happy’ and ‘not in any pain’ as he shared a positive health update amid a lung cancer battle.
Tommy revealed at the time that he was nearly in remission, saying the cancer was ‘slowly shrinking and disappearing’ as he continued a radiotherapy treatment called SABR.
He had previously battled throat cancer.
Father-of-three Tommy, who was married to wife Marie for over 30 years, first discovered a lump in his body during a cancer awareness campaign in 2022.
He said at the time: ‘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.’
Two decades earlier, he had a breast cancer scare after finding two lumps on his chest.
Due to his family history, a doctor told him to see a consultant at The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, the same hospital where his sister had a lumpectomy to remove cancerous and normal breast tissue.
He said: ‘I just buried myself in my work and then went along for the day surgery where the lumps were removed under a general anaesthetic.
Tommy pictured with his wife Marie in 2017. The couple had been married for more than 30 years
Tommy played for Old Parmiterians FC before he found fame. On Monday, the club paid tribute on X
When Changing Rooms met Ground Force 2: Anna Ryder Richardson, Andy Kane, Carol Smillie, Tommy Walsh and Charlie Dimmock pictured in 2000
Fans also shared their tributes on X as they wrote: ‘We felt like we knew you’
Ground Force was one of the biggest shows of its time, pulling in 12 million viewers at its peak (pictured in 2004)
‘It was only then that it sort of hit me that this could actually be serious and I could have breast cancer, like my relatives.’
Those test results showed that the lumps were benign, but Tommy admitted it was ‘a bit of a wake-up call’ about the disease.
Tommy has been a regular face on TV screens since starring in Ground Force.
He was a working builder before getting the role after he was encouraged to audition for a TV producer.
The show became a hit worldwide and Tommy and his co-stars were even invited to the White House to meet the US President George W Bush after making two US series, including a special in New York in wake of 9/11.
It was cancelled in 2015. BBC Director-General Mark Thompson stated the series had reached its ‘natural life’ and claimed the public had grown tired of derivative makeover shows.
Tommy played for Old Parmiterians FC before he found fame.
On Monday, the club posted on X: ‘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.’
Fans also shared their tributes on X as they wrote: ‘We felt like we knew you’.
‘Such sad news rip Tommy’,
‘The thing I remember most about Tommy Walsh is that for a while Wilko stores stocked Tommy Walsh brand nails, screws and brackets. RIP (Tommy and Wilko)’,
‘Rest in Peace Tommy Walsh. We felt we knew you’,
‘RIP Tommy Walsh a devoted @WestHam fan. Well known for his roles on Ground force and other DIY related tv shows’,
‘Had the pleasure of meeting Tommy Walsh at a charity do once. He was surprisingly down to earth and VERY funny.’
Tommy’s last television appearance was a pre-recorded Homes Under The Hammer episode on Tuesday last week. He joined the presenter line-up in 2021 and stepped down in 2024.
Tommy was replaced on the show by Owain Wyn Evans.
