Bradley Walsh was forced to wear a grey wig to play a granddad in ‘Doctor Who’.
The 58-year-old television presenter portrays companion Graham O’Brien in the new series of the sci-fi show but he has admitted he had to have a hair piece specially created for him because producers didn’t think he looked old enough for the role.
Speaking to reporters at the ‘Doctor Who’ series 11 premiere in London this week, he said: "I had to wear a wig, because fortunately at this precise moment at my age I’m not too grey. I needed to be much much greyer."
BBC bosses were initially hoping that he would dye his hair for the part, but due to his on-going commitments as the presenter of ITV’s ‘The Chase’ – which is filmed at the same time as the BBC series – he was banned from making any drastic changes.
He explained: "Rather than colour my hair – because of another job I do – I had to have a wig made. I’ve never worn a wig before; I quite liked it! I liked the transformation – it was really good, excellent."
He then joked: "And I’m now having one made for weekends. But blonde."
Bradley was cast as a companion alongside Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill and he has admitted he feels so "proud" to be part of such an "iconic show" – especially as this is the first series that will see a woman – Jodie Whittaker – play the Time Lord.
He explained: "Look, it’s an iconic show, it’s a global phenomenon. Everyone knows ‘Doctor Who’. It’s an extraordinary thing to be in. And I’m very proud and privileged to be part of it. Not just the fact that it’s going in a new direction. It looks sensational. We’ve got people like Jamie Childs who want to come and direct it. Chris Chibnall, my old boss from Law & Order, wanted me to be in it.
"So consequently, I feel very proud a) to have been asked, and b) to have been assembled alongside Jodie, Tosin [Cole] and Mandip [Gill]. We’ve become pals through this. And I actually can’t wait to see the rest of the series."
Bradley Walsh had to wear grey wig for Doctor Who
