The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh has been on our television screens for over two decades, but before he made a name for himself in the entertainment industry, he had a very different career
Bradley Walsh, the much-loved British television presenter who celebrated his 65th birthday this week, has previously hinted at “slowing down”, but with his jam-packed diary, it’s evident that day is nowhere in sight.
A familiar face on UK telly, he graces our screens with a variety of fan favourites such as ‘The Chase’, ‘Gladiators’, ‘Blankety Blank’, and hits the road in ‘Breaking Dad’ with his son Barney Walsh.
But before becoming a television mainstay, Walsh kicked off his career joining Rolls Royce as an apprentice jet engineer and then briefly glimmered on the football pitch after being scouted by Brentford FC, until an unfortunate injury curtailed his play.
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Starting in showbiz as a Pontins bluecoat entertainer gave Bradley his first taste of the stage life. Despite his natural fun-loving tendencies which often got him into trouble during school and previous occupations, his spirited antics eventually led to him losing this job.
Speaking to Comedy.co.uk earlier this year, Walsh reminisced: “Once I left that to get into the entertainment industry and become a blue coat, I got sacked from being the bloke that was messing around. I thought that was the job! In the end I thought to myself, why don’t I just get paid for messing around?”.
Post-Pontins, Walsh pursued a path in comedy stating, “That was a very conscious decision. So, I’ve got myself a routine together,”. Describing his comedic style, he said, “I was a very physical comic, bit like Norman Wisdom, not so many jokes. I was a very physical comic. And that’s where it all started.”
Bradley Walsh has been gracing our televisions for more than 20 years as a comedian, actor, and presenter. His impressive acting portfolio includes stints as Danny Baldwin on ITV’s ‘Coronation Street’, DS Ronnie Brooks in ‘Law and Order: UK’ and taking on the role of Graham O’Brien in ‘Doctor Who’ aired on BBC One, reports Gloucestershire Live.
In 2009, Bradley took the reins as host of ITV’s quiz phenomenon ‘The Chase’, marking a strategic shift in his professional path. Walsh detailed how he snagged the opportunity to host The Chase after popping into ITV studios to enquire about presenting jobs.
While reminiscing during a conversation with the former head of daytime TV, she mentioned an upcoming quiz show concept, prompting Bradley’s feedback. Recounting their discussion, Bradley shared: “I took it away and I said ‘Yes, this can work, this will work’ and she said, ‘Okay, well we’re going to make a pilot’ and I said, ‘I’ll do it for you’ and she said, ‘Yeah, but it’s only an office run-through’ and I said, ‘I’ll do it for you, don’t worry’.”
During an appearance on the Tommy Tiernan show last year, he remembered kick-starting the pilot and devising the monikers for The Chasers. Fast forward nearly 16 years, Bradley’s enthusiasm for The Chase hasn’t waned, and he has no intention of quitting anytime soon.
In conversation with the Daily Mail, he mused about his tenure: “Until people say they’ve had enough and start switching off, I’ll do it. We’ve had such an extraordinary time together. It’s the best job in the world.”
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