Ground Force presenter Tommy Walsh dies aged 69

Tommy Walsh, the builder who became one of the presenters of the BBC garden makeover show Ground Force, has died at the age of 69. ITV reported that his agent said he died peacefully after a long illness. Both broadcasts said he was surrounded by his family.

Walsh became famous on Ground Force alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock. At its peak the programme was watched by around 12 million people, a mass audience for a gardening makeover show. BBC One West described him as "the proverbial cockney with a heart of gold". He also presented Homes Under the Hammer and Clean It, Fix It.

ITV reported that Walsh was born in Hackney, east London, and that a television producer client spotted his onscreen potential. It also reported a tribute from Titchmarsh, who said the pair "got on like a house on fire" and would argue ferociously, but could always make each other laugh. Titchmarsh called him "a dear friend" and said he would miss him.

BBC One West reported that his cause of death has not been released. It said he had a benign tumour removed from his chest in 2002, was treated for throat cancer in 2022 and for lung cancer a year later. ITV reported that he had made a recovery after being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2022.

ITV reported that his most recent work was a campaign with Titchmarsh to raise awareness about cancer screening. Walsh leaves behind his wife, Marie, and three children.