Ground Force presenter Tommy Walsh dies aged 69

Tommy Walsh, the builder and television presenter best known for the BBC gardening series Ground Force, has died aged 69 after a long illness, his agent said. Debbie Schiesser told the Press Association that Walsh died peacefully surrounded by his family and asked that their privacy be respected. The statement did not identify the illness that led to his death.

Walsh presented Ground Force with Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock from 1997 to 2005. The garden makeover programme reached an audience of 12 million at its peak, according to reports about the series. Walsh was part of the presenting team throughout its original run.

Old Parmiterians FC, the London football club where Walsh played in goal, also announced his death in a post on X and paid tribute to him. The club recalled his years playing for the team and his later television career.

Before becoming a broadcaster, Walsh worked as a builder and ran a property business. A television producer who was among his clients invited him to a screen test, leading to his television work. Beyond Ground Force, his programmes included Homes Under the Hammer and Clean It, Fix It. He also appeared on other home-improvement shows, as...