Inside Casualty star Barney Walsh’s incredible rise to fame: from starring in Guy Ritchie’s film alongside Jude Law and David Beckham to hosting hit BBC show Gladiators with his dad Bradley Walsh

The son of television royalty Bradley Walsh, Barney has carved out a career in his own right in recent years.

Actor Barney, 26 years old, played a teenage King Arthur in the famous Guy Ritchie is filming King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword alongside David Beckham and Jude Law and starred alongside his father in travel show Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad.

In January, the father-son duo returned to screens once again when they were revealed as presenters of the reboot of beloved show Gladiators.

He also appears on the BBC’s Casualty and, in light of Charlie Fairhead’s departure, the Mail On Sunday has revealed that BBC bosses want to use Barney’s newfound fame to fill the void.

Barney, whose mother is choreographer and dancer Donna Derby, also has appeared on TV shows such as The Larkins, Death in Paradise, Doctors and Law & Order UK.

He has also participated in All Star Musicals and made several appearances on CelebAbility and Celebrity Catchphrase in 2021 and 2023.

Last year, Barney joined Casualty as hapless nurse Cameron Mickelthwaite.

It was reported on Sunday that the BBC hopes Barney will fill the void left by Derek, 75, who played Charlie for 38 years. The bosses believe they can take advantage of Barney’s notoriety.

In Charlie’s absence, Cam would have bigger storylines and, executives hope, he would attract younger viewers.

Barney is also in talks to star in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Since 2019, Barney has appeared alongside his father in their ITV series Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad, in which the pair take on challenges while traveling the world.

Bradley’s wife – and Barney’s mother – Donna also has ties to the Gladiators, as she was head choreographer of the Gladiators’ cheerleaders in the original 1990s series.

Bradley, 63, remembers Barney taking some of his first steps on the original arena floor as a toddler before the show.

However, the promising actor’s rise to fame has been accompanied by some backlash, with viewers accusing the BBC of “nepotism” and bosses at the corporation also expressing their concerns.

Bosses were said to have expressed “concern” about the signing, particularly due to the company’s strict policies around following due process before hiring staff.

Fans of the show were also furious with Barney’s casting alongside Bradley.

Viewers have slammed the BBC for the nominations. One wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “I’m not convinced that Bradley Walsh is right for the show and I’m less convinced that his son is.” This nepotism is not edifying.

Another said: “Why is the BBC engaging in such blatant nepotism?

Children of celebrities who work in the same industries as their famous parents have been labeled “nepo-babies.”

A BBC staffer told the Mail: “It’s caused a stink”, adding that the casting has been noticed by the “upper echelons”, some of whom “aren’t really happy”.

But Bradley insisted the BBC chose them to play Gladiators because they could attract a range of age groups to watch the show, which was previously broadcast on ITV.

He said: “It was a situation where the BBC was aiming to bring older generations and younger generations together. Gladiators was absolutely huge at the time, and a lot of the young people who watched it when it came out have grown up and now have kids of their own.

“It’s a generational question. We want parents who grew up watching Gladiators, after their parents showed it to them, to then show it to their children.

“That’s why me and my dad do it. Father and son, a family show that brings it all together.

Bradley has plenty of experience presenting game shows, having hosted Wheel Of Fortune in the 1990s and ITV quiz show The Chase since 2009. He also presents the revamped game show Blankety Blank, following in the footsteps of Terry Wogan and Les Dawson.