Peter Helliar is the Australian comedy legend who has graced our TV screens on shows such as The Project, How To Stay Married and Have You Been Paying Attention?
But the funny man’s next small screen appearance won’t be a stand-alone project: he’s competing on the new season of The Amazing Race Australia with his wife of more than 20 years, Bridget Helliar.
The couple first got together after a Sliding Doors moment, with Helliar thinking he’d missed his opportunity to make an impression on the young woman he’d spotted at Sydney airport.
So how did he manage to catch her attention – and when did they get married? Does Peter Helliar have kids?
Here’s all you need to know about the happily married couple before they go on The Amazing Race.
Who is Peter Helliar’s wife?
In November 2024, Pete Helliar will celebrate his 21st wedding anniversary with wife Bridget, whom he first spotted in the boarding lounge at Sydney Airport.
Then 24, he thought it might be weird to go up and just start talking to her, so secretly he hoped she might be sitting next to him on the plane.
That wasn’t to be, and Helliar thought he’d missed his chance – until, completely unexpectedly, she turned up to one of his comedy gigs three days later.
The pair got chatting after the show, and Peter invited Bridget, then 22, to his birthday party the following weekend.
Bridget went, decided that “this guy was pretty cool,” and they started dating. The rest, as they say, is history.
Bridget penned a sweet tribute to her husband on their 20th wedding anniversary in 2023.
“20 years marriage to the man I can’t live without, my sweetheart,” she wrote.
“Three incredible boys, lots of love, adventures, and laughs, he’s my rock.”
In 2o22, Peter Helliar spoke to Now To Love about his relationship with Bridget.
“We’re each other’s best mates,” he said. “She’s my travelling companion … and my drinking partner”.
Does Peter Helliar have kids?
Yes, Peter and Bridget Helliar have three adult sons: Liam, born in 2002, Aidan, born in 2004, and Oscar, born in 2008.
The trio occasionally crop up on Helliar’s Instagram account – one picture shows all three boys dressed up in Collingwood colours along with mum and dad (the whole family, clearly, are Pies supporters).
Helliar told Now To Love that with the boys getting older, he and Bridget had more energy and time for each other, too.
“All of a sudden our energy’s back, and the kids are good boys, so we start looking back with a sense of pride and going, ‘Actually, we’re a pretty good team’,” he said.
When the boys were younger, the whole family went backpacking around Eastern Europe together – quite the challenge for any family of five.
“Backpacking with your kids is tough work but hugely rewarding for everyone,” he later said of the adventure.
“Just like parenting, really.”
What has Peter Helliar said about being a father?
Peter Helliar has been adamant about raising sons who were respectful of women.
“I think it is important for us to teach our boys, you don’t have to like every girl you meet but you have to respect them,” he told Kidspot in 2017.
“They seem like they’re following that piece of advice.”
That same year, Helliar told The Daily Telegraph that his sons provided a lot of inspiration for his comedy career.
“My three boys have always been pretty inspiring for my comedy. They became a beacon of material for the book,” he said, referring to his children’s book, Frankie Fish And The Sonic Suitcase.
“I read the first chapter to my youngest son Oscar, who was eight at the time, and he gave me the best review I could ever ask for.
“He said it reminded him of (UK comedian and TV personality) David Walliams. I was like, ‘Wow. I’ll take it. You might get on the front cover with that quote’.”
What is Peter Helliar doing now?
Helliar’s next adventure will be to appear on the new season of The Amazing Race Australia, which kicks off on Network 10 and 10Play from September 9.
“Aaand we are off on the next adventure and what an adventure it will be!!” Helliar wrote on Instagram.
“So excited to be doing this iconic show @amazingraceau and see the world with my amazing wife @brijmurphy … Let’s goooooo!!!”
Fans were excited by the prospect of the married couple slogging it out on the show.
“Go you good thangs!” one fan enthused.
“What!!! You guys are on the show? Awesome,” wrote another.
“YESSSS!!!! Cannot wait for this!! ” added a third.
“So much love for you guys.”
