The 65-year-old Chase legend and Gladiators host has laid bare his intense battle to overhaul his lifestyle, slashing starchy foods, ditching fatty feasts and cutting back on booze – all while refusing to give up the little pleasures that keep him sane.

In explosive recent interviews splashed across The Mirror, The Sun, and Heat magazine in early 2026, Bradley opened up about the stark warning that shook him to his core. His doctor delivered the brutal truth: with sky-high cholesterol levels inherited from his mum and a dad lost to heart failure far too young, Bradley was staring down a “silent killer”.

“I was a time bomb,” Bradley confessed candidly. “I produce too much cholesterol. It’s a silent killer. My heart guy said, ‘Look, Brad, you need to get fit’.” The words hit like a thunderbolt, especially given the shadow his father’s death has cast over his life for decades.

Bradley has spoken emotionally about the pain of losing his dad, Daniel, at 59 – just weeks after Bradley’s breakthrough Royal Variety Show performance that launched his career. “I had it in the back of my mind that I just had to get past my dad’s age,” he revealed. Turning 60 felt like crossing a terrifying milestone, a moment of huge relief mixed with ongoing fear. “I was 33 when he passed away… but my dad died from heart failure two weeks after that and never got to see it.”

Determined not to suffer the same fate, the TV favourite launched a full-on health revolution. He’s hired a personal trainer to build strength and stamina, ramped up exercise, and ruthlessly cut back on the foods that were fuelling his cholesterol nightmare.

Bread, cakes, potatoes, and other starchy carbs? Drastically reduced. Fatty foods and alcohol? Slashed to the bare minimum. “I’ve got myself a trainer, and I’m actually eating properly. Less bread, cakes, spuds, and stuff like that. I’m actually not doing too badly,” Bradley told Heat in a joint chat with son Barney.

The changes aren’t easy at 65 – he admits it’s “much harder” now than it used to be. But he’s sticking to it, drawing inspiration from the ripped Gladiators he works with on the BBC reboot. “They tell me what to eat or what to take. They’re really lovely,” he said with trademark warmth.

Yet Bradley isn’t turning into some joyless health fanatic. Refreshingly honest, he insists life is about balance – not total deprivation. He still keeps Haribo sweets in his dressing room and pockets for those tempting moments on set. “You can’t give up everything,” he declared. “I’m not eating handfuls, just the odd one.”

It’s this pragmatic, relatable approach that’s winning hearts. No extreme diets, no banning all treats – just sensible tweaks to stack the odds against his genetic risks. Past efforts have already shown results, with reports of impressive weight loss after earlier scares, and he’s vowing to keep pushing in 2026.

The father-son dynamic adds extra poignancy. Hosting Gladiators with Barney has brought them closer, and Bradley’s health fight is as much about being there for his family as anything else. “As you get older, it’s much harder,” he reflected, a line that resonates with millions facing similar mid-life battles.

Bradley Walsh’s story is raw, real, and utterly gripping – a Hollywood-style drama unfolding in a British living room. From the devastating loss of his dad to the doctor’s chilling “time bomb” verdict, he’s turned fear into fierce determination.

He’s still the cheeky, charming host millions adore, whether quizzing on The Chase or hyping up contestants on Gladiators. But behind the grin lies a man quietly waging war on a hidden enemy, proving it’s never too late to fight back.

In an era of filtered perfection, Bradley’s candour stands out: admit the struggles, make the changes, but don’t rob life of its small joys. A handful of sweets here, a pint there – as long as the big picture is health and longevity.

Fans are rallying around the star, inspired by his resilience. As he continues lighting up screens and guarding his weekends fiercely, one thing is crystal clear: Bradley Walsh isn’t going down without a fight.

His journey is equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful – a powerful reminder that even national treasures must battle the odds, one healthier choice at a time.