Tommy Walsh, the building and DIY expert known for starring on TV shows including Ground Force, Homes Under the Hammer and Challenge Tommy Walsh, has died at the age of 69.
Walsh started his career as a professional builder before rising to fame alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock on the BBC's Ground Force from 1997 to 2005.
He went on to front popular programs including Clean It, Fix It and Cowboys and Angels, and joined daytime TV favorite Homes Under the Hammer in 2021.
Walsh's agent said he died "peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his family", and asked for privacy for the family. Walsh was previously reported to have had surgery for throat cancer in 2022 and lung cancer in 2023.
Walsh got his big break on TV after restoring the house of a BBC producer who was working on ideas for a show that would turn into Ground Force.
He found a winning formula with his co-stars, who performed makeovers on gardens belonging to members of the public.
His other shows included Tommy Walsh's Eco House, Tommy's DIY Survival, Trading Places, Space Invaders and Fix Your House For Free, and he published a number of DIY books.
Source: BBC
