Tommy Walsh, the builder who became a familiar face on British television through Ground Force and Homes Under the Hammer, has died aged 69 following a long illness.
His death was confirmed on Monday, 9 November 2026, by his agent Debbie Schiesser, who said the presenter died peacefully with his family around him. The family has asked for privacy.
For a generation of viewers, Walsh was the practical, no-nonsense member of the Ground Force team, tackling timber, decking and construction while Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock worked on the planting and design. The mix of skill, humour and occasional disagreement helped turn garden makeovers into prime-time entertainment.
From East London builder to television favourite
Walsh grew up in Hackney, east London, and worked in the building trade long before becoming a presenter. He ran his own property business and came to television through a connection made on a building job: one of his clients was a television producer who invited him to audition.
He joined Ground Force when it launched in 1997. The BBC series combined secret garden transformations with the presenters’ easy-going chemistry and ran until 2005. At its height, it drew audiences of around 12 million in the UK.
One of the programme’s most memorable projects involved creating a garden for Nelson Mandela in South Africa. The series made Walsh’s genuine experience as a tradesman a central part of his appeal rather than simply a television persona.
A career beyond Ground Force
After Ground Force, Walsh continued to share practical building advice on screen. His credits included Challenge Tommy Walsh, DIY Survival, Clean It, Fix It and Homes Under the Hammer, which he joined in 2021.
He also appeared away from home-improvement television, including on Celebrity Fit Club, Blankety Blank and Pointless. His presenting work was accompanied by books explaining DIY projects to home owners.
Tributes to Tommy Walsh
His former Ground Force colleague Alan Titchmarsh recalled the laughter and lively disagreements they shared on set. In a tribute reported on Monday, he described Walsh as a “force of nature” and “a complete one-off”.
Old Parmiterians Football Club, where Walsh had played as a goalkeeper, also paid tribute, remembering both his years with the club and the successful television career that followed.
What is known about his illness?
Walsh had previously spoken publicly about his health. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2022 and later said he had recovered. At a cancer charity event, he also discussed doctors finding a tumour in his lung. He subsequently spoke about receiving targeted radiotherapy.
The precise cause of his death has not been publicly confirmed. His agent referred to a long illness but did not identify that illness. Reports of his earlier cancer diagnoses should not be treated as confirmation of what caused his death.
Walsh is survived by his wife Marie and their three children, Charlotte, Natalie and Jonjo.
