The Chase’s Bradley Walsh says ‘it’s been brilliant’ as he confirms break from quiz show
Bradley Walsh has stepped down from his hosting role (Image: Getty)
Presenter Bradley Walsh began fronting the rebooted series of Blankety Blank back in 2020. However, he’s announced that this year he’ll be stepping down from his hosting duties due to clashes in his schedule. It comes after the 66-year-old will be going on tour with The Prat Pack, along with other future projects he’s yet to disclose.
Speaking to the Radio Times, Bradley had nothing but praise for the beloved BBC gameshow as he suggested it might not be the last viewers see of him on the programme. The Chase star said: “I just don’t have the time, which is sad because I’ve loved Blankety Blank. It’s been one of my favourite shows, and it’s been brilliant. Blankety Blank has been brilliant.
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The series was rebooted after a successful Christmas Day special in 2020 (Image: BBC)
“It really makes me laugh. It’s the most fun you can have in the studio, and I just cannot work on it at the moment. I just have not got the time. I would normally go to studio in October, but I’m all taken up in October and November, so I just haven’t time to do it. Maybe next year.”
While the game show first aired back in 1979, with the likes of Terry Wogan and Les Dawson fronting the programme, Paul O’Grady’s persona, Lily Savage, presented the popular late-1990s revival.
In 2016, ITV viewers saw a brief revival when David Walliams hosted a one-off Christmas special. However, for the past few years, people have seen The Chase’s Bradley Walsh front its revival on the BBC along with Christmas Specials. The fifth series aired earlier this year in April.
The gameshow has seen a plethora of famous faces (Image: BBC)
Before it was officially rebooted as a series, the festive special in 2020 was watched by 5.3 million people on the BBC, making it the third most-watched programme on Christmas Day for the broadcaster.
When asked in the past why he thought it was so successful with viewers, Bradley commented: “I think it was successful because the show is so legendary and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
“We’ve had great feedback from viewers – parents and grandparents enjoyed the nostalgia of the show with the return of the theme tune, cheque book and pen and ridiculous questions and the kids enjoyed filling in the blanks alongside the celebrity panel.
“After a tough year, I can imagine most people just enjoyed being entertained and having a laugh.”
