Austin Healey - Television Appearances

Television Appearances

Healey competed in the sixth series of the BBC competition series Strictly Come Dancing with professional dancer Erin Boag. After Week 11, he was top with an average of 34.4/40. He was awarded the first 10 of the series by Len Goodman for his Quickstep in week 7, and was awarded two more 10s for his week 9 Tango. Bruno Tonioli gave him a 10 for his Foxtrot in week 11, and then three of the judges - Craig, Arlene and Bruno awarded him 10s for his week 11 Paso Doble, which received the first standing ovation of the series. He was eliminated in week 12 of the competition to come 4th overall after a dance-off with Lisa Snowdon (her third dance-off). He commented saying he had an amazing experience, and thanked all of the people at Strictly, Erin, and his wife. They danced their leaving dance to Dionne Warwick - "That's what friends are for".

He achieved the highest score ever for a Paso Doble, and the highest male Cha Cha and Tango scores throughout any series. His Jive in week 3 was the highest scoring Jive of the series, with a total score of 34. (In the final, he returned to perform his Jive one last time, along with other fellow Strictly 2008 competitors)..

Throughout the series, he made guest appearances on The Paul O'Grady Show, Loose Women, BBC Breakfast, National Television Awards (where he and Erin presented the award of Most Popular Newcomer to EastEnders star Rita Simons), and regular appearances on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.

Austin joined Gary Lineker on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Christmas Special, on 23 December 2008, on ITV1, at 8pm. Together they won £50,000 for their chosen Charity; Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation.

Austin presented The Big Tackle on ITV in March 2009, aimed at promoting and assisting rugby clubs around the country. In January 2009, he obtained his basic coaching qualifications, in order to put him in a better position from which to advise clubs. During the filming, he returned to his roots and visited his former local club, Birkenhead Park. Some of the other teams that he coached on the series included; Bristol Barbarians, Witney Angels RFC, Rosslyn Park, and University of Sussex.

Austin competed on show one of the new series of Beat the Star in April 2009. He won 4/8 games, and ended up with 22 points overall, beating his opponent; Factory Manager, Glenn Clarke, who had 14 points overall.

Healey has been announced as one of the team captains for the second series of Hole in the Wall along with ex-EastEnders star Joe Swash.

Austin is the host of the ITV gameshow The Fuse, which began on 13 July 2009.