Bradley Walsh on how the impact from 9/11 played a crucial part in his TV career
TV

The Chase host Bradley Walsh on how 9/11 played a crucial part in his TV career

Acting, presenting... he's done it all during his TV career

The Chase host Bradley Walsh is one of British TV’s most beloved stars – and it is no surprise he is so popular when his career has covered so many different aspects of entertainment.

His role as presenter on The Chase has cemented him as the king of ITV daytime game shows.

And Bradders is also a top prime-time ratings draw as himself alongside son Barney in the likes of Breaking Dad.

But Bradley the actor also guarantees his dramatic performances in shows such as The Larkins and Doctor Who have been must watch for his legions of fans.

He made hundreds of appearances in Corrie as Danny Baldwin in the mid 2000s.

However, Bradley’s most heavyweight acting role might have been his Law & Order: UK performance as DS Ronnie Brooks.

The 61-year-old star previously explained how contemplating the horrors of the 9/11 attacks helped him prepare for challenging scenes in the police series.

Bradley Walsh has enjoyed a varied career in entertainment, including acting roles in shows likes Law & Order: UK
Bradley Walsh has enjoyed a varied career in entertainment, including acting roles in shows likes Law & Order: UK (Credit: YouTube)

Bradley Walsh on how 9/11 informed character reactions during acting career

Speaking to The Sun in July 2013, Bradley gave insight into his acting process as he recalled filming for an episode that included a train crash.

He noted how horrific loss endured by grieving relatives came to his mind during preparations for his derailment scenes.

Bradley also indicated how such shock can seem unreal – even to those who aren’t directly affected by such devastating circumstances.

And it seems Bradley was able to reflect on the force of a deep, emotional impact to bring his performance to life.

Read more: Bradley Walsh shocked as The Chase contestant takes MINUS £11k

He said at the time of the report: “How you can say goodbye to your folks on a perfectly ordinary morning, set off in your car, and never come home? Everyone talks about where they were when such-and-such a disaster happened.

I was in a terrible state and I was tearful for three or four days.

“I remember watching the Twin Towers collapse. Because it was another country and looked like a film, I just sort of thought, ‘Oh’. I didn’t think that much.

“Then three days later, it hit me. I was in a terrible state and I was tearful for three or four days.”

Bradley appeared in eight series of Law & Order: UK between 2009 and 2014
Bradley appeared in eight series of Law & Order: UK between 2009 and 2014 (Credit: ITV)

Bradley’s shock

Bradley went on to note how once the initial shock of the New York terrorist attack wore off, he began to think more deeply about the catastrophic event.

The Chase host was extremely moved by the 9/11 terror attacks in New York
The Chase host was extremely moved by the 9/11 terror attacks in New York (Credit: YouTube)

He said he “vividly” remembered how it felt when the scale of the horrors “hit home” – and it left him unable to get out of bed.

Read more: Bradley Walsh’s emotional confession about son Barney

Bradley’s comments indicated he felt it was necessary for him to draw on such dark memories to inform his character’s reactions for his performance.

And even though his sunny performances as Pop Larkin and his cheery demeanour as himself when he’s delighting contestants and viewers alike on The Chase, Bradley’s versatility – including tackling darker acting demands – may be what has propelled him to the top.

The Chase Celebrity Special airs on ITV on Saturday February 19 at 4.30pm.

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Robert Leigh
Freelance writer

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