Tommy Walsh, the Ground Force and Homes Under the Hammer presenter, has died at the age of 69. His agent confirmed the news, saying: “Tommy died peacefully after a long illness, surrounded by his family. As this has only just happened, we would ask everyone to please respect the family's privacy.”
Martin Roberts pays emotional tribute
Martin Roberts, who presented Homes Under the Hammer alongside Walsh, took to social media after the news of his death. He wrote: “I am so, so very sad to hear that my friend and colleague Tommy Walsh has just passed away. Fifteen years ago gave up a day of his time for free to help build a shed for my disabled cousin, who idolised him. Harry still talks about that day.
“But it’s just one example of the huge heart of this mountain of a man, who will be very dearly missed. Heaven's waiting room is currently having a makeover. God bless you, Tommy.”
Fans share their condolences
Fans also left tributes in the comments, with one writing: “Gutted, such a lovely gentle giant…always loved watching him on Ground Force then on Homes Under the Hammer…very sad day, RIP Tommy.” Another said: “I absolutely loved Tommy on his many TV shows from Ground Force, Clean it Fix It & of course, Homes Under The Hammer. His knowledge, skills, and experience really shone throughout. Great person, and I'm glad the TV executives gave him plenty of airtime.”
Someone else wrote: “Our heartfelt deepest sympathy and condolences to you and the Hammer team on the heartbreaking news about Tommy Walsh.” Another commented: “Oh, that’s so sad. I found him almost comforting to watch on television. So knowledgeable and kind. Thinking of you x.”
Walsh's health battles and TV career
In 2022, Walsh announced that doctors had discovered a cancerous lump in his throat during a cancer awareness initiative. He said at the time: "I went to my GP about an unrelated issue, and while I was there, he discovered this lump in my throat that he was a bit concerned about." He added that it turned out to be cancerous and that he had surgery to remove it, saying he was "now fully recovered and even back playing football!"
The following year, he revealed he had been diagnosed with lung cancer after a 3cm tumour was found. Speaking at a charity event, he said: "I've tried to keep cheerful, and you've cheered me up today, and thank you for letting me reminisce and talk. I was weighing up whether or not to tell you about this, but I felt it would be unfair if I were to leave this and I didn't tell you." He later told The Mirror that the tumour was "shrinking" due to a new treatment involving radiotherapy, and that he would continue to have annual checks and hadn't been in any pain.
Walsh worked on Homes Under the Hammer from 2021 to 2024, a show Martin Roberts first began presenting from the first series in 2003 with Lucy Alexander. Walsh took time away from the show amid his lung cancer diagnosis. His co-star Moses Bright later told GB News: "He’s a family man himself, he’s a human being and that was his decision to come off the show so he can take time off to work on his own health and his own wellbeing." Bright added that Walsh "will be missed, definitely, because of his personality and how he presents, how he relates, how he talks about the property, you can tell his passion there."
The dad-of-three’s other TV credits include Flip That House with Tommy Walsh, Challenge Tommy Walsh, Fix Your House for Free and Clean It, Fix It.
