People are just realising Bradley Walsh had VERY different career before TV fame – but he was still watched by thousands

PEOPLE are just realising that Bradley Walsh had a very different career before his TV fame - but he was still watched by thousands.

Although Bradley is best known for presenting The Chase, he originally wanted to be a professional footballer.

But his career was cut short by a horror injury - at the age of just 21.

Bradley played in front of thousands for Brentford, before breaking both of his ankles in quick succession.

In 2012 he told : "I've done some fantastic things in my life and had some fantastic jobs, but football was my life.

"When I got injured it was a real shame. I'd fractured one ankle, and recovered.

"I was supposed to be playing Plymouth Argyle on the Saturday and I fractured the other ankle.

He added: "A lot of my mates are still playing or are involved, people like Wally Downes, and Clive Allen and all them lads and I still know them all.

"But I wish I had taken my badges now and I would still be involved in football.

"I would love to try and coach a youth team now, because they don't play in the streets anymore."

Arsenal fan Bradley commentated on the Gunners' 2002 FA Cup triumph over Chelsea, and dusted off his boots for Soccer Aid in 2006 and 2010 in front of 72,000 fans at Old Trafford.

After his early exit from football, Bradley went on to star in Doctor Who and host The Chase.

A contestant on Beat The Chasers left Bradley open-mouthed when she revealed that he used to tease her when he was a footballer and she was a therapist.