[citation needed] In 1973 he successfully responded to an advert for the Northern Arts School, obtaining a student grant and moving into acting.

In 1983, Healy was brought to public attention for his role in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet a TV comedy drama series about British builders working in Germany.

In 1984 Healy appeared in the Minder episode "A Star is Gorn", in which he played George, an enforcer for Cyril Ash, a crooked music agent.

During the mid-80s, Healy also played Barney Bodger, the blundering handyman in the Children's ITV series Tickle on the Tum, becoming a favourite with young viewers.

His band, "Half a Shilling", sang a song called "Send the Buggers Back", supposedly about a pair of Holy Communion shoes, but clearly intended as a racist anthem.

In 2009, Healy appeared in the BBC drama Waterloo Road as a Security Guard, Dave Miller, a love interest for Steph Haydock, played by his wife at the time, Denise Welch.

Healy has also had a role in Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer's show Catterick as a helpful man with a chronically cold wife.

He co-founded the Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund, established to support young talent in North East England.