BRADLEY Walsh has revealed how his A-list pals have refused to come on Blankety Blank as they didn’t want to “look silly”.
The popular presenter, 65, is returning to Saturday night telly with the latest series of his much-loved BBC One quiz show.
Bradley first started hosting Blankety Blank six years ago, taking over from the late Paul O’Grady.
Since then he has welcomed a number of huge stars onto the show, including Joanna Lumley and Alison Hammond.
However, despite Bradley having a long list of star friends, he revealed two of his showbiz pals who WON’T be coming on the show.
Ahead of the new series, the host said: “I tried to persuade Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill from our Doctor Who days to come on. They won’t have it because they’re frightened to make themselves look a bit silly.
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“But that’s what it’s all about! For me, you’ve got to come on and have some fun. You really do.”
Blankety Blank returns to BBC One for a new series this weekend, and each week sees a different batch of celebrities joining the panel.
The show, which first started in the 70s and was hosted by the late Terry Wogan, sees big-name stars helping contestants fill in the missing blanks of questions asked by Bradley.
The new series sees celebrities like Jonathan Ross and Julian Clary in the celebrity panel.
Asked if they got up to any “mischief”, Bradley replied: “Well, loads! Jonathan Ross especially, he’s really the only person who’s a non-comedian, but he’s got a wealth of experience.
“He’s so funny. And Julian’s obviously steeped in this sort of stuff. So his dry remarks, his dry wit is perfect for the show, it really is.
“What I’d like more of on the show, strangely enough, is more actors because we’ve had Jason Watkins on who was very, very good, and people like Joanna Lumley, Stephanie Beecham, all those people.
“Once the general public see big names like that from the acting world have come on then, it’s wonderful. It gives a different edge.”
Over the years Bradley has become the host of many HUGE primetime TV shows including Gladiators and The Chase.
However, it was recently revealed the bizarre reason that he didn’t want the plum job of presenting Strictly Come Dancing.
The presenter insisted he won’t be in the mix to replace Claudia Winkleman, 53, and Tess Daly, 56, ahead of the new series later this year.
The duo announced their plans to step down from their iconic BBC telly role last year.
Previously, when all the stars in line to replace Tess and Claudia came to light, Bradley was high on the list.
However, the much-loved star has revealed he wouldn’t want the Strictly hosting job as it would “ruin” his weekend.
He told Radio Times of his weekly routines and said: “I come home from the studio on a Friday, have dinner and watch I’m A Celebrity.
“On Saturday, I’ll watch the football results, have dinner and a pint, watch Strictly, then I’m A Celebrity, and flip back to the BBC for Match of the Day.
“On Sunday I get up late, watch some Columbo, then the football, followed by the Strictly results, then I’m a Celebrity, and then Match of the Day.
“If I was to host Strictly, it would absolutely ruin my weekend.”
Blankety Blank returns to BBC One on Saturday at 6.25pm
