Barney Walsh: My delight that Dad Bradley, 63, and I have helped to heal rifts between fathers and sons with hit travel show Breaking Dad

In their ITV series Breaking Dad Bradley and Barney Walsh become Britain’s most famous father and son duo.

The programme, which sees the pair take on adventurous challenges as they travel the world in a campervan, explores their relationship and shows them frolicking around.

But Barney, 25, revealed that while the series was a hit with viewers, there was another, unexpected but very welcome outcome – their on-screen antics helped mend damaged relationships between fathers and sons across the country.

He told The Mail on Sunday: “The reaction to Breaking Dad has been so wonderful. I’ve gotten a lot of messages from families on social media saying they had a falling out with their dad and haven’t spoken in years, but they watched the show and want to reconnect with their dad.

“For example, they say they’ve booked a holiday with their dad or son, so they’ll go and do something like that.” It’s so wonderful.

‘If me and dad did that for one family – managed to rebuild that relationship – then it was a job well done and it makes it all worth it.’

Barney and Bradley Walsh on Breaking Dad. The show, now in its fifth series, sees the pair travel across America and Europe

The show, now in its fifth series, saw the pair travel across the United States and Europe, and was watched by an average of five million people per episode.

Barney, who currently stars in BBC One’s long-running medical drama Accident as nurse Cameron Mickelthwaite, will reunite with his father, 63, for the upcoming reboot of the popular 1990s game, Gladiators.

Although there were accusations of nepotism following the announcement that Barney would be joining his showbiz stalwart father, he insists the BBC chose them to front Gladiators because they could attract a whole range of age groups to watch the show, which previously aired on ITV .

He said: “It was a situation where the BBC was aiming for the older generation and the younger generation to come together. Gladiator was absolutely huge at the time, and many 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 thing. We want parents who grew up watching Gladiators, after being shown it by their parents, to show it to their kids.

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

Bradley Walsh has plenty of game show experience, 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.

Barney 25, revealed that the hit show, which attracts an average of five million viewers per episode, has helped fathers and sons across the country mend their relationships

In addition to his acting, Bradley is a successful actor, with appearances in Coronation Street and Doctor Who. Bradley is joined by his son in the 2021 ITV series The Larkins – a reboot of 1990s favorite The Darling Buds Of May.

But Barney says that acting alongside his father doesn’t feel like work at all.

“He’s my father, but he’s also my best mate,” Barney said at the Inside Soap Awards last month. “I can talk to him about anything and he can talk to me about anything and we keep each other safe.” That’s what family is for. There is no bond stronger than blood.

“The best advice my dad ever gave me was to be yourself, have fun and do what you love – because if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”