Bradley Walsh thanks his wife Donna Derby for starting his career, according to an interview unearthed earlier this year. The Chase presenter, 58, often gushes about his choreographer wife, who has made regular red carpet appearances. Together the couple, who were married in 1997, have two children, Barney and Hayley Walsh. However, without Donna’s helping hand at a critical juncture in Bradley’s life, he may be in a much different place than he is today.
Talking to the Mirror in 2006, the presenter said he may never have taken his first role on Coronation Street without her.
He told the paper: “I wouldn’t swap missus for the world.
“Donna isn’t just beautiful, she’s the most fantastic wife and mother.
“It’s because of her I signed with Coronation Street.”
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According to Bradley, filming for the soap separated the couple, but Donna encouraged him to go anyway.
At the time their son Barney was just nine years old.
The actor said: “She’s the one who recognised what it could do for me even though it would mean being apart.”
Bradley and Donna have since been married for 22 years, and Barney is now 22-years-old.
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Bradley isn’t the only member of show business in the family, as both his wife and son have had their brush with fame.
Donna Derby is a professional dancer and choreographer who has appeared on television.
She starred in Robert Palmer’s video for Simply Irresistible in 1988 and featured in the Russ Abbott Show and The Kenny Everett Television Show from 1987 to 1988.
Their son, Barney, started acting at a young age and joined his father in their own show.
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Barney has taken roles in television and film, most notably in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and Law & Order UK.
Earlier this year Bradley and Barney starred in Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad.
The ITV show saw the father and son duo take to the road on a trip from Los Angeles to New Orleans.
Along the way, Barney set up several challenges for his father, including cowboy training, skydiving and feeding alligators.