Bradley Walsh: “If I were to host Strictly, it would absolutely ruin my weekend”

by

Bradley and Barney Walsh, the father-and-son team who host Gladiators, chatted with TopMob about their recent viewing habits, the show’s appeal for families, and the buzz surrounding Bradley potentially joining Strictly Come Dancing.

What’s the view from your sofa?

Bradley described a simple room with a TV mounted on a bare wall, flanked by lamps on both sides. He noted it had a very classic feel.

When I visit Barney on the set of Casualty in Cardiff, I always notice how cozy his space is. He’s got a TV sitting on a simple stand, a little fake plant from Ikea in the corner, and a small painting to brighten up the wall. It feels really homey, even though it’s a working set!

What have you enjoyed watching on TV recently?

Barney mentioned ‘Pluribus’ and then raved about the comedy series ‘The Studio’ with Seth Rogen, calling it one of the funniest shows he’s ever watched and a top five favorite.

Gladiators is a really popular show, and it’s great for families to watch together. What shows did your family enjoy watching as a group?

I grew up loving family TV time with my parents. Nowadays, things like social media and streaming services have changed how people watch, but when we host Gladiator shows, we still see kids excited and cheering alongside their families. It’s heartwarming to know that tradition continues at home.

When I did pantomime, we always focused on making the show magical, knowing it was many children’s first experience with live theatre. That same idea applies to Gladiators, which feels a lot like a pantomime – essentially a show for kids. It’s amazing to see the wonder on children’s faces when they meet the Gladiators, and we feel lucky to be a part of that special experience.

How important is watercooler TV that brings families together?

I started working in television in 1986, so I believe it’s important to preserve traditional TV and the habit of families watching together. We’re definitely seeing that change and become less common, but that’s just how things evolve. I think big, shared experiences like shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, and Gladiators are still really important. You don’t find many programs that bring everyone together like that on other platforms.

You mention Strictly. There’s a hosting vacancy there, of course – would you two be interested?

Okay, so let me tell you what my weekends usually look like in the winter. I get home from work on Fridays, grab some dinner, and then I’m usually hooked on ‘I’m a Celebrity.’ Saturdays are pretty similar – I check the football scores, have dinner and a pint, then it’s ‘Strictly,’ back to ‘I’m a Celebrity,’ and finally ‘Match of the Day’ on the BBC. Sundays are a bit more relaxed; I sleep in, watch some ‘Columbo,’ catch the football, see how everyone did on ‘Strictly,’ and then…you guessed it, more ‘I’m a Celebrity’ and ‘Match of the Day’! Honestly, if I was ever asked to host ‘Strictly,’ it would totally mess up my whole routine!

Barney: That is completely true. That’s Dad’s weekend, every weekend.

What is it really like working so closely together?

We’ve known each other a long time – we’re work partners, but we’re also like family and good friends. After the success of ‘Breaking Dad,’ we were asked to host ‘Gladiators’ because the producers wanted that same close, family feel on screen, as they were aiming for a show the whole family could enjoy.

Do you watch each other’s shows?

Bradley thinks Barney probably doesn’t have time to watch The Chase due to his busy filming schedule. Bradley himself hasn’t watched The Chase in a long time because he finishes work late. However, he’s a big fan of Casualty and really enjoys how the show has become more visually dramatic recently.

Barney usually finishes filming around 7pm, so he doesn’t often get home in time to watch The Chase. But when he has free time and it’s on, he definitely tunes in – he really enjoys the show.

Authors

Toby Earle

Read More

2026-01-12 21:12