Peter Helliar

Peter Jason Matthew Helliar (born 16 June 1975) is an Australian comedian, actor, television, radio presenter, writer, producer and director.

Helliar initially worked the Melbourne comedy circuit in the mid-1990s, performing in various venues and the annual Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

He has performed in numerous television ads, most notably for Fernwood Fitness.

Helliar also appeared with Rove McManus as his sidekick on The Loft Live from 1997 to 1998, on Rove from 1999 and 2009 and in Before the Game as alter ego Bryan Strauchan.

In 1997, Helliar became a regular stand-up comic on RMITV's weekly variety show Under Melbourne Tonight broadcast on C31 Melbourne, hosted by Stephen Hall and Vincent Hedger.

In 1998, Helliar became a regular on Melbourne community television RMITV's weekly variety show The Loft Live broadcast on C31 Melbourne, hosted by Rove McManus and including other well known Melbourne comedians such as Dave Hughes, Kim Hope, and Dave Callan.

He appeared as a live on-screen guest as well as scripting and recording skits for live playback.

Between 1998 and 2000, he was a regular guest on the ABC's national youth network Triple J.

Helliar rose to national attention in 1999, when he became a regular (aka side-kick) to Rove McManus on Rove, which aired on the Nine Network.

In 2000, the show moved networks to Channel Ten, where Helliar and the show remained until its ending in late 2009.

Helliar also wrote for the show.

In 2002, the Austereo radio network signed Peter Helliar to appear alongside TV colleagues Rove McManus and Corinne Grant on the weekly program Saturday Morning Rove, broadcasting from Fox FM every Saturday from 10 am to midday after being pre-recorded the day before.

In 2003 and 2004, Helliar was part of an ensemble cast in the comedy sketch program skitHOUSE that ran on Network Ten as well as being sold overseas.

In 2004, the program moved to Friday mornings, allowing live phone callers, and was re-titled Rove Live Radio.

It was discontinued at the end of 2004.

In 2004, Austereo announced that Helliar will join Judith Lucy and Kaz Cooke to host The Judith Lucy Show on Sydney station 2Day FM.

The breakfast program was discontinued after its first year.

Still signed to Austereo, Helliar also appeared on the Melbourne-based The Arvo, a daily program broadcast out of Fox FM between 4 pm and 6 pm and networked to other capital cities.

It was discontinued in June 2005.

He also has done his own show called Pete's Show, which aired on 10 am – 12 pm on Fridays across the Today Network.

Helliar filled in for Merrick and Rosso, along with Rove McManus, for their breakfast daily show on Sydney's Nova 96.9 whilst they were on holiday.

In 2010, Helliar joined the Seven Network to appear on their new "family-friendly" football show, The Bounce, alongside Leigh Matthews and Matthew Richardson.

The series was cancelled after just a few weeks.

On 18 May 2010, Helliar was guest co-host on The Morning Show, alongside Kylie Gillies, while Larry Emdur was on holidays.

In the summer of 2010 and 2011, he hosted the quiz show The Trophy Room that aired on ABC1.

In 2013, Helliar created, wrote, co-produced and co-directed his own eight-episode comedy series titled It's a Date.

The show won the 'Best Scripted Format Award' in the International Format Awards at MIPCOM 2013 in Cannes.

On 7 December 2013, Helliar appeared as one of the co-hosts of The Project from 2014 to 2022, replacing Dave Hughes who had resigned to concentrate on stand-up comedy.

He is best known for his work on television as a former regular co-host of The Project on Network Ten from January 2014 to December 2022, replacing previous presenter Dave Hughes to host alongside Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Lisa Wilkinson.

It was a strong performer and earned a second season for 2014.

Helliar has been nominated for the Gold Logie, a prestigious award bestowed upon the Most Popular Personality on Television in 2017.

Helliar has made guest appearances on Melbourne International Comedy Festival, The Loft Live, Rove, The Morning Show, Studio 10, Show Me the Movie!, Celebrity Name Game, All Star Family Feud, Have You Been Paying Attention? and Hughesy, We Have a Problem.

In 2017, Helliar hosted the unsuccessful game show Cram!, broadcast on Channel Ten.

The show was very poorly received by viewers, and although a second series was reportedly in the pipeline despite low ratings, it never materialized.

In November 2018, a comedy series How to Stay Married, a spinoff of the aforementioned It's a Date, was released.

Created and co-written by Helliar, the series explores life after 15 years of marriage, and starred Peter Helliar as Greg Butler and Lisa McCune as Em Butler.

The series aired for three series before being rested in 2021.

From 2 April 2023, Helliar appeared as a contestant in the ninth season of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.

Helliar was eliminated seventh on 25 April 2023.

In February 2024, Helliar will be a contestant on the second series of Taskmaster Australia.