Bradley Walsh ‘faces family dilemma as he becomes the favourite to be the new Strictly host’ after The Chase halts filming

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Bradley Walsh has become a frontrunner for the new host of Strictly Come Dancing. 

Earlier this week, it was reported filming for The Chase has been halted for ‘at least a year’.

Bradley, age 65, has hosted the show since 2009 and is a strong contender to take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who left the program last year.

However, people working in television believe the presenter might face a difficult decision, as he also hosts another popular Saturday night program, Gladiators.

Bradley and his 28-year-old son, Barney, revived the popular nineties show in 2024, and it quickly became a ratings success.

The show has run for three full seasons, plus two celebrity editions and a children’s version. Many of the Gladiators have gone on to appear in other popular TV programs, such as Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Sewing Bee.

If Bradley Cooper were offered the role on Strictly Come Dancing, he might have to leave Gladiators, the show that helped his son start his career as a presenter.

Barney started his career with acting parts in shows like Law & Order: UK and Doctors. He then appeared on ITV’s Breaking Dad alongside his father, which led to his role on the popular show, Gladiators.

According to a source, Bradley Walsh is very driven and dedicated, and he felt perfectly suited to hosting Strictly Come Dancing. However, his family is his top priority, and he’s particularly close to his son, Barney, whom he’s always supported professionally.

Their son is currently thriving in his dream job, but it’s doubtful the BBC would allow his father to host two prominent Saturday night programs.

Oh my gosh, this is EVERYTHING! They want Bradley Walsh to be Gladiators, like, totally linked to the show forever, right? But then these big BBC bosses are worried if he does another huge show too soon, it’ll mess things up. It’s a total dilemma! Does he stay loyal to Gladiators and make sure his son is secure, or does he take the biggest opportunity of his life… even if it means risking everything for his son? I’m on the edge of my seat! This is so stressful, but I NEED to know what happens!

Even when The Chase isn’t being filmed, Bradley still has a very busy schedule, according to reports.

He presents the shows Blankety Blank and Egypt’s Cosmic Code on Sky History. He also films three episodes of The Chase each day, 50 days out of the year – he’s even joked that he spends almost all his time at the television studios.

Daily Mail has contacted Bradley’s representatives and the BBC for comment. 

Sources say the potential hosts have been whittled down to popular TV personalities Bradley and Rylan Clark, as well as professional dancer Johannes Radebe.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m hearing a lot of buzz about the show potentially bringing back a male co-host! It sounds like they’re looking for someone who can fill the shoes of the legendary Bruce Forsyth and recreate that classic male-female hosting dynamic. It’s a format many viewers loved, and they’re keen to revisit it.

Oh my goodness, I just heard the most exciting news! Apparently, the people who make Strictly are getting ready to hold screen tests for their top picks for the next season! I’m already on the edge of my seat wondering who they’re eyeing up – it feels like the show is getting ready to blow our minds again! I can’t wait to see who they think has what it takes!

The successful presenter would reportedly front the BBC One show alongside a female host.

Sources say Emma Willis and Zoe Ball are also top contenders for the hosting job.

Emma, age 49, now hosts the BBC Radio 2 afternoon show. She took over from Zoe, 55, who left the position after only seven months.

Zoe has expressed strong interest in hosting the job, having previously presented the Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two, until 2021.

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2026-04-13 04:03