The Chase host Bradley Walsh had a VERY different career before TV fame

Bradley is best known for hosting The Chase, starring in huge television shows, and for his singing endeavours.

The presenter and talented actor, 63, is currently Britain’s richest solo TV presenter having amassed a fortune of £18.6million.

Bradley first found fame in 1997 when he fronted the popular game show Wheel of Fortune on ITV, before adding The Chase, Odd One In, Keep It in the Family, and Cash Trapped to his resume.

His first acting role on television came in 2004 when he played the role of Danny Baldwin in Coronation Street until 2006, before he starred as DS Ronnie Brooks in the police drama series Law & Order: UK, from 2009 until 2014.

For four years, from 2018 until 2022, the actor played Graham O’Brien in the BBC series Doctor Who, and in 2016, Bradley’s debut album, Chasing Dreams went to number 10 in the UK charts.

However, before TV fame Bradley had a very different career, but he was still watched by thousands.

Bradley was previously a professional footballer. 

The television star began his youth football career at Wormley Rovers, and turned pro at the age of 18.

In late 1979, Bradley signed for Brentford and also played for Barnet on loan, making five Southern Football League appearances in the 1979–80 season.

He also played for Tring Town, Boreham Wood and Chalfont St Peter.

However, Bradley’s football career was cut short when he broke both of his ankles in quick succession aged 22, in 1982.

Back in 2012, the TV star told Sky Sports: ‘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.

‘A lot of my mates are still playing or are involved, people like Wally Downes, Paul Walsh and Clive Allen and all them lads and I still know them all.’

Bradley admitted that although his chance at playing professionally has long gone, he would love to return to the sport in a different capacity. 

He revealed: ‘But I wish I had taken my badges now and 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.’

Arsenal fan Bradley commentated on the his team’s 2002 FA Cup win over Chelsea, and has twice taken part in Soccer Aid, playing at Old Trafford for charity, both in 2006 and 2010..

After injury ended his professional football dreams, Bradley went on to have a wildly successful career in TV, starring in Coronation Street, Doctor Who, The Darling Buds Of May and hosting The Chase.

The TV personality has been fronting the hit quiz show since 2009, appearing in over 1,000 episodes. 

Back in 2o21, Bradley was left red-faced by contestant on The Chase, who claimed he mocked her during his footballing years.