Peter Helliar

This is an accepted version of this page Peter Jason Matthew Helliar (born 16 June 1975[citation needed]) is an Australian comedian, actor, television, radio presenter, writer, producer and director.

He is best known for his work on television as a former regular co-host of The Project on Network Ten from January 2014[1] to December 2022,[2] replacing previous presenter Dave Hughes to host alongside Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Lisa Wilkinson.

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

[3] 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.

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

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

[11] 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.

[20] In May 2024, Network 10 announced that Helliar would appear as a celebrity contestant on the forthcoming eighth season of The Amazing Race Australia, with his wife Bridget.

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.

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.

It was announced by co-host Dave Hughes that Helliar would begin making appearances on the show every Thursday morning.

[27] For the 2005 AFL season, Helliar created an alter ego named Bryan Strauchan (aka "Strauchanie") who debuted on the television show Before the Game.

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, while his egotistical personality and delusions of grandeur mean he is completely unaware of these weaknesses.

Helliar in character as Bryan Strauchan