TOMMY Walsh was the star of the BBC show Ground Force, alongside Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock.
Tommy is currently back on BBC1 fronting his new show Cowboys and Angels, which meets the tradesmen who come to the rescue of homeowners and also those who have been left devastated by shoddy work. It airs at 11.45am and runs until May 1.
What was your first car?
The first vehicle I owned, I purchased with my mate John Parry, who was my business partner at the time. It was a Bedford Dormobile Van, in two toned blue, with sliding doors that you could drive along left open - far greener than air-con. At the weekend, we would take all our tools out and slide in an old sofa bed, which I have to say proved to be really useful! The van was a “C” registration, 1966, purchased for a negotiated bargain price of £25 in 1973. Sadly, its demise came the same year, written off in an accident.
How many times did it take to pass your test?
I passed my test at the second attempt. I had been driving a tractor with loading shovel and various trucks of all sizes at my dad’s block making yard since a youngster. I only had one driving lesson, as the instructor said I already knew how to drive so he just corrected a few bad habits that I had picked up. I took my first driving test in a hired Morris Marina Coupe TC which would pink in fourth gear under 30mph - I blamed this for my failure! I passed my next test in a girlfriend’s light blue Vauxhall Viva and nearly had an accident immediately after as I was so excited at passing.
Who would be your ideal fantasy passenger and where would you go?
Peter Ustinov. I would travel around Europe but would go wherever Peter suggested. I would love to listen to his many tales as he was a great raconteur, and I think the ideal travel companion!
What is your dream car?
A Bentley Azure Convertible. Me and my mate Richard Foy said that if we ever won the lottery the winner would buy two Bentley Azure Convertible’s, one for each of us! The only thing is that I rarely do the lottery, but I haven’t told Richard that. However, I did raise an objection with Richard when he selected the colour he wanted for his Bentley when he heard I’d won a tenner!
How would you describe your driving style?
I have slowed down a lot as I’ve got older and tend to leave a lot earlier than I used to in order not to be late and reduce the pressure to speed! I have always tried to read what’s ahead of me, which I think stems from driving trucks!
Tell me one driving anecdote from your past?
Me and my mate Ronnie Ward were in Ireland on holiday, aged about 16, and staying with an aunt and uncle of mine, among the many relatives I have in my mum’s birthplace, Sligo. A cousin of mine, Liam, had a new Humber Sceptre with a great stereo system. After a night out we would drive to a caravan park in Strand Hill, driving slowly around the park with loud music and the passenger doors ajar and when rabbits were caught in the glare of the headlights two of us would have to leap out of the car, run after and try to catch one of them. We had great laughs, but never managed to catch one. I got the closest, with my hands on one, but it kicked me in the face with its big feet and shot off into the dark.
What are you listening to?
With the radio I listen to Radio 2, Radio London, Talk Sport, Five Live and Magic. If it’s CDs, I have been listening to a young singer-songwriter who is being carefully looked after by a friend of mine, Matty Mansfield. He has just recorded her first album which is great. I keep listening to it, her name is Moon and the album is called The Tree That Held The Sky. I contrast it with Paulo Nutini’s latest album which is the best I’ve heard in years!
What do you drive now?
I drive a Land Rover Discovery. I have always previously driven Mercs for comfort and reliability. About five years ago I sold both mine and my wife’s car and the Groundforce Truck and replaced the three vehicles with the Discovery. It is a great utility motor. With the seats down it’s like a van and using all seven of them is great if we all go out as a family. There’s lots of space in the back for Alfie, our ten stone Rhodesian Ridgeback, and the high driving position gives great vision and is not to dissimilar from my truck driving days.
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