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Tommy Walsh Dies Aged 69 After Long Illness, Agent Says
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Tommy Walsh dies aged 69 after a long illness, agent confirms. Best known for BBC's Ground Force and appearances on Homes Under the Hammer.
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Walsh dies aged 69
Tommy Walsh, the building and DIY expert known for starring on TV shows including Ground Force, Homes Under the Hammer and Challenge Tommy Walsh, died at the age of 69. Walsh’s agent told BBC News he died "peacefully after a long illness surrounded by his family," and the agent asked for privacy for the family. Walsh was from Hackney, London, and confirmed that he died following a "long illness".
Walsh’s career began as a professional builder, and he rose to fame alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock on the BBC’s Ground Force from 1997 to 2005. Walsh later joined Homes Under the Hammer in 2021 and also fronted programmes including Clean It, Fix It, and Cowboys and Angels.
Health history and quotes
Walsh previously had surgery for throat cancer in 2022 and lung cancer in 2023, and he had spoken publicly about his health woes over the years. Walsh told the BBC in 2004 that "It was like watching paint dry - it was terrible," when he described one of the pilots that became Ground Force. Walsh told reporters that he was "now fully recovered and even back playing football!" after his throat cancer surgery.
Walsh had been open about his health scare in 2002 when benign lumps were found in his chest, and a malignant throat growth was removed in 2022. Walsh spoke at an event for The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer charity in 2024 about doctors discovering a "three-centimetre tumour in the lung".
Tributes and family privacy
Walsh’s agent, Debbie Schiesser, confirmed the death and asked the public to respect the family’s privacy, saying "As this has only just happened, we would ask everyone to please respect the family's privacy."
Old Parmiterians FC posted a tribute on X that said, "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tommy Walsh," and it added, "He will be sorely missed. RIP Tommy."
My London said Walsh’s death was confirmed by his agent Debbie Schiesser, and it repeated the request to respect the family’s privacy.
The Independent said tributes were paid to the Hackney-born broadcaster, including from Old Parmiterians, where Walsh previously played as a goalkeeper.
The Mirror said Walsh was a dad of three, and it reported that his death followed a long illness after his earlier throat cancer diagnosis in 2022.