Facing the FEAR!
Barney and Bradley Walsh embark on an exhilarating trip through Europe…
After their actionpacked tours of America, Bradley Walsh and son Barney are off on their travels again, this time around Europe, in a new six-part series of ITV’S Breaking Dad.
Aiming for Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the Walshes drive through the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Slovenia, meeting a variety of locals and embracing each country’s customs along the way.
‘I really enjoyed our American trips because the people we met were quirky but Europe has that as well and is so culturally diverse,’ says Bradley.
Of course, there are plenty of activities to get their adrenaline pumping – to Bradley’s horror and Barney’s delight! As they start their journey in the Netherlands, they try fierljeppen or canal jumping…
‘I thought it would be a doddle but you have to climb up a 10m
pole. It wasn’t like jumping over a puddle,’ says Bradley. ‘I had no chance of getting over the canal. There was no doubt I’d get wet, but Barney was like Spider-man!’
Physical
After visiting a traditional Dutch clog shop, the lads head to a velodrome in Apeldoorn to try high-speed track cycling with world champion Jeffrey Hoogland. Then, in Groningen, Bradley musters all his courage as he and Barney scale Excalibur, which, at over 37m, is the world’s tallest freestanding climbing wall.
‘I grazed my hands by gripping so tightly to the nodules on the wall because I was frightened of falling off,’ says Bradley. ‘My fear of heights manifested itself badly. That was my worst
challenge so far. I hated it!’