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Bradley Walsh
Born	4 June 1960 (1960-06-04) (age 49) Watford, Hertfordshire
Years active	1994 - present
Spouse(s)	Donna (1997 - present)

Bradley Walsh (born 4 June 1960 in Watford, Hertfordshire) is an English comedian and television actor.

Background

Bradley Walsh grew up in Leavesden, near Watford. He attended Francis Combe, a comprehensive school in Garston, Hertfordshire.^{[1][citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

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 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.^{[citation needed]}

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 in November/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 November 2008, someone posted on the List of Casualty Characters that Walsh would soon be joining the cast of Casualty, playing a character called Peter Roscoe. This rumour was then posted on Digital Spy. The rumour turned out to be fake.

In June 2009, Bradley is hosting a pilot game show for ITV called The Chase.

Coronation Street

In 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.^{[citation needed]} 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, however he was not killed off.

Law & Order UK

Bradley is currently being aired on ITV1 playing a lead role as a policeman (DS Ronnie Brooks) in the British version of the American import Law and 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 and down to Portugal to raise money for Sane. He appeared on 'That's What I Call Television' with Fern Briton and declared that he is an Arsenal FC fan^{[citation needed]}.

Current projects

Walsh has recently directed, written and starred as Wishee Washee in his first Christmas pantomime (Aladdin) starring alongside his former Coronation Street co-star, Eric Potts, who played Widow Twankey. Walsh's son, Barney, also had a part. The pantomime was a success.

References

External links

• Bradley Walsh at the Internet Movie Database
• Bradley Walsh Official Site