Bradley Walsh, the beloved host of The Chase, Blankety Blank, Wheel of Fortune, and the recent revival of Gladiators, is back on television with his son Barney for the seventh series of Breaking Dad. The six-part series sees the duo exploring the vast wilderness and coastal thrills of Australia, with Barney planning a packed itinerary of adrenaline-rushing challenges to push his father to the limit.
Famous Family Members
Off-screen, the 65-year-old presenter lives with his wife, Donna Derby, in a £2.5 million barn conversion in Essex. The couple have been happily married since 1997, and Donna was a celebrity in her own right before marrying Walsh, having worked as a dancer and appeared in Robert Palmer's iconic music video for Simply Irresistible.
Their son, Barney, 28, has followed his parents into the entertainment industry, with roles on Casualty and co-presenting Gladiators alongside his father. The pair also star together in the hit ITV series Breaking Dad.
First Career
Before his television success, Walsh initially pursued a career as a professional footballer. At 18, he played for Brentford in 1979, though he never made the first team and remained in the reserves. His career path shifted when he landed his first presenting role on The Wheel of Fortune, followed by acting stints in Coronation Street, Law and Order, and BBC One's Doctor Who.
Private Daughter
While many fans know about Barney, fewer are aware that Walsh has a daughter, Hayley, from a previous relationship with Debby Parker. Born in 1982, Hayley is Barney's older half-sibling and works as a reflexologist, specialising in therapeutic foot massage. She lives a quiet life out of the spotlight with her husband Tom and their son Dax in Hertfordshire.
In November 2021, Hayley gave birth to a baby boy, making Walsh a grandfather for the first time. He told Saga magazine: 'I am a grandfather! My daughter and her husband, Tom, have a baby boy who is coming up to five months old.'
Bradley & Barney Walsh: Breaking Dad series seven launches Friday 1 May 2026 at 7:30 PM on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player.
