Bradley Walsh reveals 'opportunity' away from The Chase as filming for ITV show halted

Bradley Walsh, 66, has hinted at a return to acting as The Chase takes an extended break lasting "just over a year". The versatile TV presenter, who recently appeared as "Pop" Larkin in the ITV comedy-drama series The Larkins, revealed he's eager to work on "another drama".

Speaking about the filming hiatus for The Chase, Bradley told The Sun's TV Mag: "We've been stockpiling. So we're going to take a rest for just over a year or something, which everyone is sort of thrilled about because they can go away and do other stuff. I haven't been able to do a drama in ages, so I now get the opportunity to go back and do another drama."

He's also preparing to present a brand-new series for Sky History, Out of This World, which "blends scientific exploration with curiosity and humour as he investigates the greatest mysteries on Earth".

The show will examine unexplained phenomena including crop circles and will feature access to official military files from both the UK and the US, documenting potential extraterrestrial encounters.

Despite his enthusiasm about diversifying and pursuing other projects, Bradley emphasised that he'll be delighted to return to The Chase in due course.

The former Doctor Who actor said: "It's funny how the show gets into people's psyche familiarity doesn't breed contempt, sometimes it just breeds happiness.

"The team are brilliant the best I've ever worked with, bar none and I love working with them, I really do. We've all become firm friends.

"All of our people who've worked on it have either got married or had kids. During that time, I think 20 children have been born to our production staff. That's the most wonderful thing. It's a juggernaut and long may it reign."

While Bradley and the Chasers take a break from the primary programme, a fresh spin-off will soon grace our screens, titled The Chase Around The World.

The ITV programme, which launches on Thursday 16 July, will feature six pairs of competitors attempting to locate the Chasers throughout an international journey.

Travelling to Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris, Rome and Zurich, ahead of a climax in Athens, the participants will crack puzzles throughout their adventure, with the victorious duo ultimately facing the Chasers in pursuit of a 100,000 jackpot.