Blankety Blank

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.

Sam Campbell (Panellist)

Sam Quek (Panellist)

Josh Widdicombe (Panellist)

Born: April 08, 1983 in Dartmoor

Best Known For: Being a comedian and a regular on The Last Leg.

Early-life: Joshua Widdicombe was born in Dartmoor on April 8, 1983. He has a brother, Henry. Josh went on to study linguistics at the University of Manchester. He began performing stand-up in 2008 and made it to the final of So You Think You're Funny at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival the same year.

Career: In 2011, Widdicombe performed his debut solo show in Edinburgh and was nominated for an Edinburgh Comedy Award in the best newcomer category. Since 2012, he has been a regular on Channel 4's The Last Leg, alongside Adam Hills and Alex Brooker. He has also appeared on Mock the Week, QI and Have I Got News for You.

Quote: 'The thing about stand-up is that you end up meeting your idols.'

Trivia: In December 2013, Widdicombe won his edition of Celebrity Mastermind - his specialist subject was Blur.

Dean McCullough (Panellist)

Ria Lina (Panellist)

Helen George (Panellist)

Best Known For: Playing nurse Trixie Franklin in Call the Midwife.

Early-life: Helen was born in Birmingham in 1982. She has a sister. After training at the Birmingham School of Acting and the Royal Academy of Music, she made her stage debut in the Trevor Nunn-directed The Woman in White.

Career: TV roles followed for George in Hotel Babylon and Doctors, and she made her film debut in The Three Musketeers (2011). Her big break came in 2012 when she was cast as nurse Trixie Franklin in hugely popular BBC drama Call the Midwife. In August 2015, it was announced that she would be a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.

Quote: 'I want to do a movie where I get to wear leather and shoot people!'

Trivia: George has been a backing singer at concerts for Elton John.

Charlie Irwin (Executive producer)

Christopher Barbour (Executive producer)

Clodagh O'Donoghue (Executive producer)

Aoife Bower (Series producer)

Barbara Wiltshire (Director)

12:10 am - 12:45 am, Thursday, June 4 on BBC One London (1)

About this Broadcast

Season 5, Episode 6

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