‘I just tag along and make the tea...’

Bradley Walsh is loving his new role as the Doctor’s trusty companion

How’s the new job travelling through time going for you?

As the companion of the Doctor, you’ll notice I just tag along and basically make the tea. I don’t listen to her. I’m befuddled with what happens in the universe. The Doctor certainly knows what’s happening.

Is it true you didn’t know Jodie Whittaker was the new Doctor when you signed up for the part?

I only found out with the rest of the nation that Jodie would be the first female Doctor when they showed the trailer during Wimbledon fortnight and revealed it was Jodie. I thought it was fantastic.

But you knew who she was?

I’d seen Jodie in Broadchurch and thought she was brilliant. To be honest, I’m thrilled to be part of it because this is a show that’s seen around the world so it’s ground-breaking globally. I always want to do something different, and get involved in something evolving. I keep thinking, ‘I’m in Doctor Who, how

did that happen?’

‘I’m thrilled to be part of Doctor Who’

What’s the chemistry like between you and Jodie?

We have such a laugh. I’ve worked on the show for nine months and Jodie has done a fantastic job. How she learns the pages and pages of dialogue I just don’t know. It’s a proper drama now, with each episode a standalone story. The characters develop throughout the series but each new adventure is self-contained. All-new worlds, allnew aliens. but we do revisit some of the old favourites.

Are you still reading only your own lines in the script, Bradley?

Yes. Dickie, you know me too well!

Do you sing in the series?

There’s an episode where we land in a nightclub and Frank Sinatra’s ill with a migraine and I step in and sing with a big band. Dean Martin walks on and I do six months in Las Vegas. They go to another planet and I just stay there on a residency!

And I assume there’s another album out in time for Christmas...

You got it! Can you imagine being stuck with me in the TARDIS?

We hear Theresa May is a fan of The Chase...

I think that’s fantastic. I wish her luck in a very, very trying time.