Homes Under The Hammer presenter axed and replaced by Radio 2 rising star

21 January 2024 , 08:22

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Homes Under The Hammer presenter axed and replaced by Radio 2 rising star

Homes Under The Hammer has ditched presenter Tommy Walsh in favour of rising star Owain Wyn Evans, it's been reported.

It's claimed weatherman Owain, 39, will make his debut alongside the Ground Force star, 67, when the BBC series next returns to our screens - with it said Owain has already begun filming scenes for the popular daytime TV programme.

Celebrity builder Tommy, who revealed his throat cancer diagnosis in 2022, reportedly filmed his final Homes Under The Hammer scenes last year and will not be returning to shoot more.

It's thought BBC bosses want to give their flagship property series a bit of a makeover and are hoping new presenter Owain will appeal to new generation.

Tommy Walsh will not be returning to Homes Under The Hammer (BBC/Curve Media Ltd/Gary Moyes)

Owain Wyn Evans has already filmed his scenes for the BBC series (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

"Bosses wanted a makeover to keep younger viewers interested," a TV source has claimed. Speaking to The Sun, the insider added: "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 will feature both Tommy and Owain as there is a three-month lag with the house makeovers, so there is some crossover."

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Former builder Tommy joined the BBC auction property renovation show in 2021 alongside original presenters Martin Roberts, 60, Martel Maxwell, 46, and ex-footballer Dion Dublin, 54. A year later, the DIY guru disclosed his throat cancer diagnosis, having had two benign lumps removed from his chest 20 years earlier. He shared at the time: "I had to go in straight away and have surgery to remove it. I am now fully recovered and even back playing football!"

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New Homes Under The Hammer star Owain has presented the weather on regional BBC shows for years and made his BBC Breakfast debut in 2021, having previously reported for The One Show. The popular Welsh broadcaster currently hosts Radio 2's Early Breakfast Show and raised over £3million for Children In Need with his 24-hour drum-athon in 2021.

Taking to Twitter to announce his new Radio 2 gig in October 2022 the BBC North West star said: "SOME NEWS. I'm joining BBC Radio 2! From January I’ll be presenting the new Early Breakfast Show live from gorgeous Cardiff, making it the first daily Radio 2 show to be broadcast from Wales. I can’t wait to get started."

The broadcaster went on to add: "When I asked my parents for a pair of turntables and a mixing desk from a DJ shop in Llanelli when I was 13 I never allowed myself to dream that one day I'd have my own show on Radio 2! I can’t wait to help kick start the day on Early Breakfast live from Cardiff. Bore da dahlings as we say in Wales."

Zoe Delaney