As a kid, you must have been asked often what you would like to be when you grow up. That, somehow, might have restricted you to the stereotype that one is supposed to be a particular thing when one grows up. However, many like Bradley Walsh have broken the society’s mold and have risen above the status quo, proving that you can become more than one thing, do more than one thing, and amazingly, excel in all.
Walsh, probably best known to you as an actor, is also a comedian, singer, TV presenter, and former professional footballer. He has become one of the most popular entertainers on British television.
Bradley Walsh Biography
The multi-talented personality was born on Saturday, the 4th day of June 1960 as Bradley John Walsh, to Daniel Terence Walsh and Margaret O’Connell. His birthplace was Watford, Hertfordshire, but he was raised in nearby Leavesden along with his sister, Kerri Walsh. He came from a humble background where the importance of hard work was ingrained into him.
He attended a school in Garston, Hertfordshire, now known as Francis Combe Academy. While in school, he was a keen sportsman and also showed a particular interest in media, performing as a stand-up comedian. He joined the school’s football team and scored 64 goals during his time there.
After school, he was signed by Brentford FC in 1978 and was a regular in the reserves. Then, he had a promising loan spell with Dunstable Town where he scored 15 goals in 25 appearances. He also played for other teams on loan including Barnet and Boreham Wood. Sadly, ankle injuries nipped his blossoming career in the bud in the early 1980s.
Football’s loss, however, turned out to be television’s gain. Following a succession of low-paying jobs including as a sheet metal worker, he broke into the television scene in 1994 as one of the presenters on BBC One National Lottery. He quickly rose to prominence on the show and went on to become a game show presenter on ITV’s Midas Touch and most notably, on Wheel of Fortune in 1997. After one year stint on WoF, Bradley Walsh turned to the acting profession.
His first acting job was as a minor character on Lock, Stock…, a short-lived spin-off from ‘s hit crime comedy-drama film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Going forward, Walsh landed a regular role on ITV’s soap Night and Day in 2002 and Coronation Street in 2004. During his time on Coronation Street, he earned the National TV Award nominations in 2005, 2006, and 2007 for Best Actor. After a two year stint on Coronation Street, he appeared in the TV drama, Torn (2007), two episodes of Doctor Who spin-off, The Sarah Jane Adventures (2008), and in Law & Order: UK (2009) as DS Ronnie Brooks.
He also hosted the insanely successful ITV’s The Chase, the annual Crime Thriller Awards, the Specsavers Crime Thriller Club, the variety show Tonight at the London Palladium, and Cash Trapped. Walsh appeared in an episode of The Spa on Sky Living (2013) and joined the cast of BBC One comedy series SunTrap as Brutus in May 2014. The show premiered on 27 May 2015. He was cast as a companion of , Graham O’Brien, in the eleventh season of Doctor Who in October 2017.
After some years in the TV business, Walsh took to the mic in 2016 as a singer. Influenced by the likes of Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby, he took on standards of classic vocal pop and recorded his debut album, Chasing Dreams. He proved himself to be a credible singer with the album becoming the second highest-selling U.K. debut album of 2016. He released his sophomore album When You’re Smiling in 2017.
Though an injury ended his soccer dreams prematurely, he still plays and is a team captain on the sports-themed panel show Play to the Whistle since 2015. He also participates in Soccer Aid, an all-star charity football game.
Net Worth
Bradley Walsh’s professional interest in all the areas he has established a career proves that he is a strong believer in using one’s abilities maximally and is clearly not bound by any set rules or choices.
He does not only make wise career choices but is a shrewd businessman and very sensible with money as well. He doesn’t believe in using a credit card and only uses the money he has. According to sources, the British entertainer’s net worth is placed at $8 million. He has not relented yet, so we expect to see his fortune rise some more in the coming years.
Wife – Donna Derby, and Children
Bradley Walsh has been married to choreographer Donna Derby since 1997. They share a son, Barney who was born in 1997. They are also parents to a daughter, Hayley Walsh, born in 1982 from a previous relationship.
Walsh’s look-alike son appeared in Guy Ritchie’s 2017 action adventure King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, and has had roles in other productions. Definitely, he has plans to conquer the entertainment industry like his father.
Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.
