Tommy Walsh, the beloved broadcaster best known for hosting Ground Force, has died at the age of 69 following a "long illness". Walsh enjoyed a career in television that spanned more than a decade, first gaining fame on the BBC gardening programme alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock.
Career and Homes Under the Hammer Exit
After seven years on Ground Force, Walsh secured another long-term role on Homes Under the Hammer, joining the DIY programme in 2021. He handed the reins to Owain Wyn Evans in 2024, with sources saying Walsh stepped back to "focus on his health and wellbeing" as the show lined up his replacement.
An insider told The Sun: "Bosses wanted a makeover to keep younger viewers interested. They have been keen to get Owain onto one of their popular shows for a while — he will add a new dynamic." The upcoming series was set to feature both Tommy and Owain, as there is a three-month lag with the house makeovers, so there is some crossover.
Health Struggles and Legacy
Following his departure from Homes Under the Hammer, Walsh continued to appear on TV, notably in Clean It, Fix It for the BBC. In 2024, he attended an event held by The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer charity, where he confirmed that doctors had discovered a "three-centimetre tumour in the lung" and that he was booked in for an emergency CT scan.
Earlier, in 2022, Walsh announced he had been diagnosed with throat cancer, from which he eventually recovered. In 2002, he had two benign lumps removed from his chest, an experience that led to his commitment to spreading awareness about breast cancer in men. "I do hope men will take the issue of breast cancer seriously," he said in 2013. "I feel I have a duty to talk about male breast cancer as I feel like a lucky survivor, and I do think men are more vulnerable. I want to make sure the message is out there that men need to be vigilant about their health too."
