Bradley Walsh
 |
Bradley Walsh | |
|---|---|
 Walsh in September 2008. | |
| Born | |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian, television presenter, footballer |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Spouse | Donna (1997–present) |
Bradley Walsh (born 8 June 1973) is an English light entertainer, television actor, comedian and former professional footballer.
Background
Bradley Walsh grew up in Leavesden, near Watford. He attended Francis Combe, a comprehensive school in Garston, Hertfordshire.[1]
Football
In the early 1980s, Walsh played professional football for Brentford F.C., although he failed to make the first team. An injury finished his career in the game. He also played for Barnet FC at the same time as Jimmy Greaves.
Television
He first came to prominence on television in 1994 as a presenter of the National Lottery before going on to host the British version of Wheel of Fortune in 1997. In 1998, he presented another ITV1 game show, Win, Lose or Draw (both made by Scottish Television) before turning his attention to acting.
Walsh was in the cast of short lived British soap opera Night and Day in 2002. He appeared as Burglar Bill at the Children's Party at the Palace in 2006.
Walsh took part in Northern Rock's All Star Golf Tournament on ITV, which his team, Team Europe, won. Walsh said that he has been playing golf since he was 20.
On 9 September 2006, he hosted the 50 Greatest Stars Polls. He appeared in the three part TV drama Torn. He hosted No. 1 Soap Fan on 29 December 2007 for ITV. In August 2008, Walsh appeared in the reality talent show television series, Maestro on BBC Two.[2]
Walsh is also making a series for ITV called 'My Little Soldier', in which the young contestants are required to do "grown-up things" such as travelling on their own by train.
Walsh was confirmed as the host of a new ITV1 game show called Spin Star that aired from 10 November - 19 December 2008.[3]
Walsh joined the Doctor Who universe by playing three roles in the 2008 Sarah Jane Adventures story The Day of the Clown. Including a sinister clown called Odd Bob, and a mysterious European sounding ringmaster named Elijah Spellman, and the infamous Pied Piper of Hamelin.
Along with his son Barney, he is also featured in one edition of a factual TV series for Five, Dangerous Adventures for Boys, based on the best-selling book written by Conn and Hal Iggulden, The Dangerous Book for Boys.
In June 2009, Bradley hosted a game show for ITV called The Chase. The first series had 10 shows and a second series ended on Friday 23 July 2010. A third series of The Chase started transmitting on ITV1 Monday 3 January 2011.
He can currently been seen as the host on the ITV Saturday night gameshow Odd One In with Peter Andre and Jason Manford. The show has 8 shows which will be on each week, with the last of the series on 4 September 2010.
Coronation Street
On 31 May 2004, he began playing the role of factory boss, Danny Baldwin, in the Granada TV soap opera, Coronation Street, for which he is now best known. Danny was originally going to be called Vic, but Walsh asked for the name to be changed to Danny after his late father. People had previously called him Young Danny, so he thought it would not be so bad when people called him by his character's name.
He won the 'Best Dramatic Performance' award at the British Soap Awards in May 2006 for his role. He was written out of the serial at his own request at the end of that year, but he was not killed off.
Law & Order UK
Bradley has filmed the third series to be aired later this year on ITV1 playing DS Ronnie Brooks in Law & Order: UK.
Film
Walsh starred in the 2001 film Mike Bassett: England Manager. He also appeared in the TV series, Lock, Stock....
Books
Walsh has co-authored a series of personalised football story books in the series My Dream Cup Final with....
Personal life
Walsh married choreographer Donna in 1997, and they have one son, Barney (born 1998). The family live in Epping, Essex. He has a daughter Hayley (born 1982), from a previous relationship.
Walsh is currently in training as he will be cycling from the North of France to Portugal to raise money for Sane. He appeared on 'That's What I Call Television' with Fern Britton and declared that he is an Arsenal FC fan. On 22 October 2010, Walsh was in attendance at the funeral of fellow actor and comedian Sir Norman Wisdom[4]
As of July 2010, Walsh finished a tour of stand-up/singing gigs in UK theatres.
Walsh appeared in Christmas pantomime (Peter Pan) at Cliffs Pavilion, Southend from 11 Dec 2010 - 9 Jan 2011.
Filmography
Films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Mike Bassett: England Manager | Dave Dodds | |
| The Glow | George - The Butler | Short film |
TV
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Lock, Stock... | Larry Harmless | 1 episode: ...And a Fistful of Jack & Jills |
| The Thing About Vince | Perry | 1 episode: 1.3 | |
| 2001 | Hotel | Henry | |
| 2002–03 | Night and Day | Eddie 'Woody' Dexter | Series regular |
| 2003 | Reps | Terry Arnold | |
| M.I.T.: Murder Investigation Team | Phil Seagrove | 1 episode: Daddy's Little Girl | |
| 2004 | The Basil Brush Show | Mr Savage | 1 episode: Bend It Like Basil |
| Murder City | Ken Hill | 1 episode: Big City, Small World | |
| 2004–06 | Coronation Street | Danny Baldwin | Series regular |
| 2007 | Torn | Steven Taylor | 3 part series |
| The Old Curiosity Shop | Mr Liggers | ||
| 2008 | The Sarah Jane Adventures | Odd Bob / Elijah Spellman / The Pied Piper | 2 episodes: The Day of the Clown (Parts 1 & 2) |
| 2009–present | Law & Order: UK | DS Ronnie Brooks | Series regular |
References
- ^ "Students". www.franciscombe.herts.sch.uk. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
- ^ "Eight passionate amateurs bid to become BBC Two's Maestro" (Press release). BBC. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2008.
- ^ Ex-Corrie star lands ITV quiz role
- ^ http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/10/22/norman-wisdom-hundreds-pay-respects-to-comedy-legend-115875-22651985/
External links