Bradley Walsh: The Chase presenter is preparing for a big career move

Bradley Walsh has been a TV fixture since the 1990s when he joined ITV. Since then the presenter has hosted massively popular shows such as Wheel of Fortune and The Chase.

All of this, and more, has made Walsh the richest TV presenter in Britain, well above iconic duo Ant and Dec. Throughout his career, Bradley Walsh has mostly worked at ITV but his career has also taken him to the BBC. Moreover, if you believe Bradley Walsh to be only a TV presenter, then you couldn’t be more wrong.

Though he is more than a TV host, it was announced at the beginning of November 2023, that he was going to make a career change. Is Walsh leaving The Chase? Let us tell you everything we know.

Bradley Walsh’s career change

November starts with a bang for Bradley Walsh. The presenter was announced as the new host of the Royal Variety Show at Royal Albert Hall. The Royal Variety Show will take place on 30 November.

On top of having Walsh as the host, the show promises to be grand. It will include a performance from Cher as well as performances from West End shows like The Lion King and Frozen. This year, the show will also be an opportunity to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Disney Studios.

The Royal Variety Show is an annual occasion during which money is collected for The Royal Variety Charity. King Charles III is the patron of the charity which is why the performance is attended by senior members of the Royal Family.

The Royal Variety Charity describes itself as a charity that:

assists those who've worked professionally in the entertainment industry and are in need of help.

Bradley Walsh’s surprising career

The Royal Variety Show may be Bradley Walsh’s newest job but hosting is something that he is used to. However, did you know that before becoming a TV star Bradley Walsh had a career as a professional footballer?

The in 1970s, Walsh started working as a professional football player but, unfortunately, he fractured his ankle at the age of 22 which put an end to his aspirations. In the same year, in 1982, he started doing stand-up. He was then spotted by ITV and joined the channel.

In 1997, he started hosting the British adaptation of The Wheel of Fortune. While this only lasted for one year, Walsh didn’t leave the small screen. However, he decided to put his talents to use in serialised dramas. He appeared in soaps such as Coronation Street (where he stayed for two years), Law and Order UK and Doctor Who.

The little screen wasn’t enough for him, Walsh also acted on the West End in Les Misérables. But there’s more. Bradley Walsh is also a singer. In 2016 he released Chasing Dream which peaked at number 10 on the charts.

Read more:

⋙ Bradley Walsh is now the richest TV presenter in the UK: Here's how he became a millionaire

⋙ Phillip Schofield: Richard Madeley calls out ITV’s ‘savage and brutal’ firing

⋙ Eamonn Holmes reveals his death arrangements with Ruth Langsford amid sad health updates

Sources:

The Royal Variety Charity

Mirror: Bradley Walsh lands another major TV presenting job as he replaces top comedian