The Chase Celebrity Special

Bradley Walsh (Host)

Born: June 04, 1960 in Watford

Best Known For: Coronation Street and Law & Order: UK

Early-life: Bradley John Walsh was born in Watford on June 4, 1960. He wanted to be a footballer and was playing for a county league team when he was offered a contract with Brentford FC. Sadly, his sporting career was brought to an abrupt end when he broke both his ankles. He then considered joining the police, but was told he was too short, so he followed his father into engineering. He eventually decided to try stand-up comedy, and made his first steps towards turning professional when he became an entertainer at a holiday camp near Morecambe.

Career: Walsh's big TV break came in 1993, when he appeared on the Royal Variety Show. It led to a stint presenting the National Lottery, and he also hosted the game shows Wheel of Fortune and Win, Lose or Draw. After fearing his brand of light entertainment was becoming dated he moved into acting, taking parts in the TV version of Lock, Stock, the soap Night and Day and movie Mike Bassett: England Manager before Coronation Street's bosses created the role of Danny Baldwin for him in 2004. He stayed in Weatherfield for two years before leaving to pursue other projects. He's since appeared in Torn, The Old Curiosity Shop, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Law and Order: UK and SunTrap. He moved back into presenting in 2009 with ITV quiz show The Chase, and is a team captain on Play to the Whistle.

Quote: 'Professionally I saw the end of light entertainment galloping towards me. Oddly enough, it's coming back now thanks to all the reality shows.'

Trivia: Walsh is a supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Mark Billingham (Contestant)

Aldo Zilli (Contestant)

Born: January 26, 1956 in Alba Adriatica, Abruzzo, Italy

Best Known For: His string of self-titled restaurants.

Early-life: Born in the small seaside town of Alba Adriatica, Italy in 1956. One of nine children, Aldo discovered his passion for food while helping his mother in the kitchen. After attending catering college in Italy, Aldo moved to the UK at the age of 19, and began working in an Italian restaurant. His flair saw him fly up the promotion ladder and he quickly rose to become an executive manager. He acquired his first eatery, Il Siciliano, and in 1988 put his name on the first of several restaurants.

Career: Over the years, Zilli has expanded his restaurant empire and collected numerous food awards. At the same time, he cultivated a career as a celebrity chef. His TV credits include The Summer Chef , One Man and his Hob, Perfect Pasta with Aldo Zilli, Aldo's Italian Job and Aldo and Friends, which featured celebrity guests. In 2000, he co-presented the CFN series Two Chefs in The Cape with Brian Turner. In 2005, he romped to victory in Celebrity Fit Club. Zilli has also dabbled in acting, with a role in 1990s drama London Bridge and an appearance in Emmerdale.

Quote: 'TV is a great hobby and it promotes my restaurants - but too many chefs lose their heads over it. They become too big for their boots, too big for their restaurants.'

Trivia: He has written several books and runs a cookery school in his home town.

Lucy Pargeter (Contestant)

Born: September 01, 1977 in Nottingham

Best Known For: Playing Chas Dingle in Emmerdale.

Early-life: Lucy was born in Nottingham on September 1, 1977, and was trained at the Central Junior Television Workshop. She used to be a member of the band Paper Dolls, which toured with Boyzone in the early 1990s.

Career: Lucy's first screen role was in the TV Movie The Bare Necessities in 1996. She went on to appear in Soldier Soldier, Peaches and Dalziel and Pascoe. She played Helen Raven in Crossroads from 2002 to 2003, before landing the role of Chastity ‘Chas' Dingle in Emmerdale, where she has remained ever since. In 2006, she appeared in singing competition Soapstar Superstar, finishing in third place. In November 2013, she was a contestant on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!

Quote: 'I don't watch soaps. I don't watch any of them. I just don't have time and when I get home from work it's not so that I can sit down and watch other soaps. It's 'off time'. I have to learn lines, get my daughter Lola off to bed, make dinner, stuff like that.'

Trivia: She once performed in Stars in Their Eyes as Emma Bunton.

Joey Essex (Contestant)

Born: July 29, 1990 in Brentwood

Best Known For: The Only Way Is Essex.

Early-life: Joey Donald Essex was born in Brentwood on July 29, 1990. He was 10 when his mother committed suicide at the age of 37 after battling depression. Joey joined the cast of TOWIE in 2011 to support his cousin, Chloe Sims, and was later joined by his sister, Frankie.

Career: Essex joined TOWIE in the second series and enjoyed a rollercoaster romance with co-star Sam Faiers. They were engaged at one point but finally ended their relationship at the end of series nine. Something of a trendsetter, Essex opened his Brentwood fashion boutique Fusey in 2013 and he also has his own range of hair products. Since finding fame on TOWIE, he has appeared on Loose Women, 8 Out of 10 Cats and All Star Family Fortunes. In November 2013, he was a contestant on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! In early 2015, he participated in Channel 4 reality series The Jump.

Quote: 'I just wear what I want to really.'

Trivia: Essex has is own range of perfume called My Girl, and Fusey aftershave for men.

Helen Tumbridge (Executive producer)

Martin Scott (Executive producer)

Michael Kelpie (Executive producer)

04:00 am - 05:00 am, Sunday, May 10 on Challenge (48)

About this Broadcast

Season 7, Episode 2

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