Peter Helliar

Peter Jason Matthew Helliar (born 16 June 1975) is an Australian-born comedian, actor, radio & television presenter, writer, producer and director. From January 2014, he is one of two regular hosts of The Project on Network Ten with Carrie Bickmore, replacing previous presenter Dave Hughes. Previously he was best known for his work on television as Rove McManus' sidekick on The Loft Live from 1997 to 1998 and on Rove from 1999 and 2009. He also appeared in Before the Game as alter ego Bryan Strauchan. Helliar initially worked the Melbourne comedy circuit in the mid nineties, performing in various venues and the annual Melbourne International Comedy Festival. He has performed in numerous television commercials, most notably for Fernwood Fitness.

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.

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 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 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. It was a strong performer, being renewed for a second season, set to air in 2014. The show won the 'Best Scripted Format Award' in the International Format Awards at MIPCOM 2013 in Cannes.

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

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

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 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, Helliar was signed to do the breakfast shift on Austereo's Sydney station 2Day FM with Judith Lucy and Kaz Cooke. The 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. Helliar also filled in for Kate Langbroek on Hughesy & Kate on Melbourne's Nova 100, while Kate was on maternity leave. It was announced by co-host Dave Hughes that Helliar would begin making appearances on the show every Thursday morning.

In 2008, Helliar began presenting the Triple M Melbourne breakfast spot with Myf Warhurst called Pete & Myf, but the show was axed in July 2009.

In 2010, a romantic comedy film, I Love You Too was released. The screenplay was written by Helliar and he also co-starred in and co-produced the film.

In 2012, Helliar appeared in the Australian comedy film, Scumbus.

Helliar in character as Bryan Strauchan

For the 2005 AFL season, Helliar created an alter ego named Bryan Strauchan (aka "Strauchanie") who debuted on the television show Before the Game. The character was the last pick in the 2004 AFL national draft, and yet to get a game for his new club Collingwood.

For the role, Helliar dons a blonde mullet wig and attempts to play up an Australian bogan stereotype. The comedy is achieved by self-effacing humour, putting Strauchan in situations that highlight his weight, lack of fitness and general inability whilst his egotistical personality and delusions of grandeur mean he is completely unaware of these weaknesses. The character of Strauchanie has made several subsequent appearances across different media.

In the 2009 'EJ Whitten Legends' football match, Helliar broke his ankle late in the game after being tackled. He suggested that this could be the end of his career.

You could be seeing the end of a great career. Doctors say I won't walk again unless there's two blokes on either side of me. I will always stay involved in football; maybe even coach

— Peter Helliar in the role of Bryan Strauchan

Peter Helliar is married to Bridget Helliar ('Brij') and they have three sons. In 2013, Peter and Bridget, together with their three young sons, backpacked around Eastern Europe. Peter summed up the experience by saying "Backpacking with your kids is tough work but hugely rewarding for everyone. Just like parenting, really."

Helliar lives in Eltham, Victoria.