Bradley Walsh Steps Away From Blankety Blank After Six Years — “I Just Don’t Have the Time”

Bradley Walsh has confirmed that he is stepping away from hosting the BBC revival of Blankety Blank, bringing an end—at least for now—to his six-year run fronting one of Britain’s most beloved game shows.

The television favourite admitted the decision was far from easy, revealing that an increasingly packed schedule has made it impossible to dedicate the two months needed to film the series.

“It’s One of My Favourite Shows”

Speaking candidly in a new interview with Radio Times, Bradley explained that leaving the programme was not something he wanted to do.

“I just don’t have the time, which is sad because I’ve loved Blankety Blank.”

He continued:

“It’s been one of my favourite shows, and it’s been brilliant. It’s the most fun you can have in the studio, and I just cannot at the moment work on it.”

The presenter revealed that filming traditionally takes place during October, but his diary is already completely full throughout October and November.

“I just have not got the time. I would normally go to the 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.”

His comments suggest this may not be a permanent farewell, leaving open the possibility of returning to the show in the future if his schedule allows.

A Career Busier Than Ever

Far from slowing down, Bradley’s workload has become heavier than ever.

Later this year he will head across the UK with The Prat Pack, joining fellow entertainment favourites Brian Conley, Shane Richie and Joe Pasquale for a nationwide theatre tour running throughout September.

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Bradley Walsh has revealed he’s quit his job as the host of BBC’s Blankety Blank reboot because he ‘doesn’t have the time’ to spend two months in filming

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The Chase frontman is due to go on tour with The Prat Pack in September, and has confirmed in an interview it leaves him with no time to film the reboot

At the same time, Bradley continues to juggle several major television commitments.

He has recently completed filming another series of the BBC’s hugely successful Gladiators, which he presents alongside his son Barney Walsh and is expected to air in 2027.

With multiple television projects also in development, Bradley admitted there simply wasn’t enough room in his calendar to commit to another lengthy studio production.

A Busy Schedule Ends Strictly Rumours

For months, Bradley had been heavily linked with becoming the next host of Strictly Come Dancing, with many viewers believing he would be the perfect replacement should Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman ever step aside.

However, his demanding theatre tour and existing television commitments effectively ruled him out of the running, making such a move impossible this year.

Questions Continue Around The Chase

Bradley’s announcement also comes amid uncertainty surrounding another of his biggest shows, ITV’s The Chase.

Reports have claimed production has paused after the latest round of filming, with no additional recording dates currently scheduled until next year.

The alleged pause follows wider cost-cutting measures at ITV, which have reportedly affected numerous daytime productions and raised concerns among crew members about future work.

ITV, however, stressed that viewers should not worry.

The broadcaster confirmed that series 19 has already completed filming for this year and said The Chase will continue airing as normal, using a mixture of new and repeat episodes.

With audiences regularly exceeding 2.5 million viewers, ITV described the long-running quiz show as one of the nation’s most popular programmes.

A Temporary Goodbye?

Although Bradley’s departure from Blankety Blank will disappoint many fans, his comments suggest the door has not been closed for good.

Rather than walking away because of a lack of enthusiasm, the presenter made it clear that the opposite is true—he still considers the show one of the most enjoyable projects of his career.

For now, however, his calendar is simply too full.

Between nationwide touring, Gladiators, The Chase, and several other television projects, Bradley Walsh remains one of Britain’s busiest entertainers—and for the first time since reviving Blankety Blank in 2020, something had to give.