Bradley Walsh has found himself at the centre of unexpected controversy after posting a bizarre AI-generated photo featuring himself, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump — a move that quickly backfired and left fans divided.
The Chase host shared the digitally created image on Instagram on December 15, showing him at a table with the Russian and former U.S. presidents, raising glasses of beer together. The post was swiftly deleted following strong backlash from followers who labelled it “weird”, “tone-deaf”, and “dangerous”.
“What a weird thing to post in the first place,” one fan commented.
Another added: “Why is Bradley Walsh posting AI pics of him and Trump and Putin?”
A third simply said: “Nope. This isn’t funny.”
In response to the outrage, Bradley posted a new, genuine photo of himself in front of a BBC banner, alongside a lengthy caption explaining his intent. He clarified that the AI image wasn’t created by him and was intended to highlight the growing risks posed by artificial intelligence.
“Whatever happens, AI is a dangerous weapon. Be very aware of the damage it can cause,” he wrote.
“I, of course, have never met Vlad and Don — and I NEVER will. But remember, AI can make it seem real.”
He ended the post on a light-hearted note, joking: “I couldn’t have met Vlad and Don cos I was in the pub with Elvis!!”
While some continued to criticise him, others praised his honesty and attempt to raise awareness. One follower wrote: “Thanks for the heads up Brad — AI is scary and confusing.”
The incident adds to the growing wave of celebrity warnings over AI misuse, as more stars push back against false or misleading content generated by digital tools.
