Bradley Walsh revealed he had a very surprising first job before finding TV fame and being beloved by millions.
The 63-year-old, best known for hosting the hit ITV game show The Chase, was recently named the UK’s richest solo TV host with a reported fortune of £18.6 million, and is also a talented actor.
Bradley began his TV career hosting Wheel of Fortune, then went on to front Odd One In, Blankety Blank, Keep It In The Family and The Chase, as well as the spin-off game show Beat The Chasers.
He’s also starred in Coronation Street, playing Danny Baldwin for two years until 2006, then landed a role in the hugely successful Law & Order: UK.
Bradley then jumped over to the BBC to star as Graham O'Brien in Doctor Who from 2018 to 2022, and also fronted ITV’s reboot of The Darling Buds of May, The Larkins, last year.
But before finding fame, the dad-of-two was a professional footballer, and played for several clubs in the late 1970s.
He turned pro at the age of 18, and was signed up by Brentford, mainly featuring on the reserves team before being loaned out to Barnet.
He made five appearances in the Southern Football League from 1979 to 1980, and also played for Tring Town, Boreham Wood and Chalfont St Peter.
But horrific injuries cut his blossoming football career short, as he broke both of his ankles and was forced to bid farewell to his dream job.
He previously spoke about his time as a footballer, and said the profession was “my life”.
In an interview with Sky Sports, he fondly recalled his days on the pitch, and said: “I've done some fantastic things in my life and had some fantastic jobs, but football was my life.
“When I got injured it was a real shame. I'd fractured one ankle, and recovered. I was supposed to be playing Plymouth Argyle on the Saturday and I fractured the other ankle,” Bradley explained.
He said plenty of his friends are still playing football, and while his chance to return as a player may have long gone, he wishes he could be a coach.
“I would still be involved in football. I would love to try and coach a youth team now, because they don't play in the streets anymore,” Bradley shared.
