Adam Hills
Adam Hills | |
|---|---|
| Born | Adam Christopher Hills July 10, 1970 Loftus, Sydney, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, television presenter |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Known for | Host of Spicks and Specks, Adam Hills Tonight, The Last Leg |
Adam Christopher Hills (born 10 July 1970) is an Australian entertainer known for his work as a comedian and presenter on both radio and television. In his home country, he was the host of the music quiz program Spicks and Specks from 2005 until 2011, returning to the role in 2021, and led the talk show Adam Hills Tonight between 2011 and 2013. In the United Kingdom, he has been the presenter of the talk show The Last Leg since its inception in 2012. Hills has earned nominations for prestigious honors such as the Edinburgh Comedy Award, the Gold Logie Award, and several BAFTA TV Awards.
Hailing from Loftus, Sydney, Hills began performing stand-up comedy at age 19 in 1989 and has since created ten solo productions starting in 1997, touring globally. His appearances at notable festivals include the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and Montreal's Just for Laughs, where he secured three consecutive Edinburgh Award nominations from 2001 through 2003.
In 2002, Hills released a modestly successful single in Australia titled "Working Class Anthem," which creatively combined the lyrics of the Australian National Anthem with the melody of Jimmy Barnes' "Working Class Man."
Stand-up career
Hills launched his comedy career in 1989 at Sydney Comedy Store. After initial roles in breakfast radio on SAFM Adelaide alongside stand-up performances, he shifted focus exclusively to live comedy by the mid-1990s. His debut solo show, "Stand Up and Deliver," premiered in 1997. Internationally, he has showcased his work at festivals such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and Montreal Just For Laughs. From 2001 to 2003, Hills earned consecutive nominations for the Edinburgh Comedy Award based on his solo shows.
The phrase "Go You Big Red Fire Engine," which became the title of his 2001 show, originated from an impromptu chant by his audience during a Melbourne performance in 1999. This chant evolved into a hallmark of his act, inspiring a second show and a comedy album bearing the same name. It gained attention outside comedy circles, including mentions in a Detroit newspaper, on a Swedish website, and by Senator Natasha Stott Despoja during proceedings in the Parliament of Australia.
Although Hills prominently features his prosthetic right foot during performances today, it was only incorporated after more than ten years of stand-up following his Perrier Award nomination in 2001. He deliberately chose to establish his reputation primarily as a comedian rather than be identified solely by his disability.
At festival appearances, Hills often performs alongside Auslan sign interpreter Leanne Beer to improve accessibility and enhance audience engagement—a practice inspired by a disability arts conference performance in Adelaide. He observes that sign-interpreted shows are increasingly sought after by hearing audiences.
His comedic style has been influenced by figures such as Chris Addison, Greg Fleet, Rich Hall, Daniel Kitson, Ross Noble, and David O'Doherty.
Television career
Hills served as host for the music quiz show Spicks and Specks from its launch in 2005 and participated in the national live tour "Spicks and Speck-tacular" during 2007 with performances across major Australian cities. The tour returned for "Spicks and Speck-tacular – The Finale" between late 2011 and early 2012. His television appearances include Australian programs like Rove Live, The Glass House, and The Fat, as well as UK shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Mock the Week, QI, and Ask Rhod Gilbert. Additionally, he appeared on BBC Northern Ireland's Great Unanswered Questions. Hills conducted backstage interviews at Australia's Logie Awards in both 2005 and 2006 and co-hosted the ceremony in 2007.
In September 2008, Hills co-presented ABC’s coverage of the 2008 Summer Paralympics. He featured on shows like Thank God You're Here and Good News Week in 2009. Starting early in 2011, he hosted his own weekly talk show initially titled Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight, which was renamed Adam Hills Tonight in 2012 before concluding after three seasons in July 2013.
In 2012, Hills joined Channel 4’s commentary team for the London 2012 Summer Paralympics coverage and hosted its daily comedic review program The Last Leg with Adam Hills alongside Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe. This program later transitioned into a weekly format titled The Last Leg, offering humorous summaries of current affairs. The show has been renewed multiple times, reaching its milestone 300th episode by March 2023.
In 2013, Hills hosted BBC Northern Ireland’s panel game Monumental. That same year, he presented a one-time revival of Channel 4’s quiz show Fifteen to One during an ’80s-themed programming weekend. Credited as "Adam C. Hills" as a nod to original host William G. Stewart, he returned to present four celebrity specials in 2014 before Sandi Toksvig took over hosting duties.
Hills appeared in the Australian TV series Die on Your Feet in 2014, which showcased comedians performing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. In 2016, he provided the voice for Buddy Pendergast in the animated series Thunderbirds Are Go. Beginning February 2022, Hills took on hosting responsibilities for Channel 4’s coverage of the Super League.
Additional projects
In 2002, Hills released the track "Working Class Anthem," which merged the lyrics of Australia's national anthem, Advance Australia Fair, with the melody of Jimmy Barnes' Working Class Man. Featuring approximately 40 comedians, the single entered Australia's independent top 10 charts, with all earnings donated to the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council—a group supported by Barnes and Jon Bon Jovi that assists firefighters. Hills has performed this piece on several television occasions, including during Barnes' guest spot on Spicks and Specks.
From 2003 to 2005, Hills contributed articles as a columnist to the BBC's disability-focused website Ouch!
His memoir, Best Foot Forward, was published in 2018. Hills ventured into children's literature with the release of Rock Star Detectives in February 2022, followed by a sequel titled Murder at the Movies in February 2023. A third book in this series is currently underway.
In 2019, Hills produced and released the sports documentary Adam Hills: Take His Legs, which follows the creation of the Warrington Wolves physical disability rugby league (PDRL) team through their first World Club Challenge. A follow-up documentary, Adam Hills: Grow Another Foot, documenting the inaugural 2021 PDRL World Cup, debuted in August 2023.
Also in 2023, Hills took on narration and executive production roles for Amputating Alice, a documentary chronicling British Paralympic swimmer Alice Tai's path to competing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games less than a year after her leg amputation.
Broadening his ventures into hospitality, Hills collaborated with chef Scott Hallsworth to launch a permanent Freak Scene restaurant located in Parsons Green, London, in March 2023.
Rugby league
Hills is an avid supporter of his local rugby league team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs. In 2017, he played a key role in founding the Warrington Wolves Physical Disability rugby league squad. In August 2018, he participated in their World Club Challenge triumph over the South Sydney Rabbitohs, with a final score of 34–12. Hills also represented Australia in the first-ever PDRL World Cup and acted as an ambassador for the tournament.
He hosted Channel 4's Super League broadcasts during the 2022 and 2023 seasons before broadcasting rights transferred to the BBC. In February 2025, Hills was appointed as the 33rd President of the Rugby Football League, taking over from Sir Lindsay Hoyle in this ceremonial capacity.
Personal life
Hailing from Loftus, Sydney, Hills was born without his right foot and uses a prosthetic limb, which he often incorporates into his comedic material. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Macquarie University in 1991 and was honored with their Alumni Award in 2018.
In December 2009, he married opera soprano Ali McGregor. The couple has two daughters and resided in London until just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, when McGregor and their children moved back to Melbourne while Hills stayed in London during filming of The Last Leg.
While tracing his genealogy for SBS's Who Do You Think You Are?, Hills uncovered German burgher ancestry from Bohemia along with a Sicilian forebear who financed corsairs.
In February 2020, Hills accepted an ambassadorial role for The Children's Trust, a UK-based charity supporting children affected by brain injury and neurodisability. His relationship with the charity began in 2014, and he has since participated in numerous charity comedy events at The Comedy Store.
Australia Post commemorated Hills in April 2020 by issuing a stamp as part of its Australian Legends of Comedy collection.
Hills was named Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for his contributions to Paralympic sport and raising disability awareness. That same year, he obtained permanent residency status in the UK.
In recognition of his impact on comedy and disability advocacy, he received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University of Chester in 2023.
Additionally, Hills holds a Guinness World Record for achieving the fastest time by a team to don five jumpers—34.43 seconds—accomplished alongside Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe during The Last Leg New Year's Eve Special in 2023.
Solo Performances
- Stand Up and Deliver (1997)
- Life Is Good (1998)
- My Own Little World (1999)
- Goody Two Shoes (2000)
- Go You Big Red Fire Engine (2001) – nominated for Perrier Award
- Happy Feet (2002) – Perrier Award nominee
- Cut Loose (2003) – Perrier Award nominee
- Go You Big Red Fire Engine 2: Judgement Day (2004)
- Characterful (2006)
- Joymonger (2007)
- Inflatable (2009)
- Mess Around (2010)
- Adam Hills Stands Up Live (2012)
- Happyism (2013)
- Clown Heart (2015)
- Shoes Half Full (2021)
Singles with Chart Positions
| Title | Year | Highest chart position |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ||
| "Working Class Anthem" | 2002 | 59 |
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards are held annually by the Australian Recording Industry Association to honour outstanding achievements and innovation in Australian music since 1987.
! Ref. |- | 2011 | Inflatable | Best Comedy Release | |-
Television Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Outcome | Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Logie Awards | Most Popular New Male Talent | Template:Nom | Spicks and Specks |
| Most Outstanding New Talent | Template:Nom | |||
| 2008 | Most Popular Personality on TV | Template:Nom | ||
| Most Popular Presenter | Template:Nom | |||
| 2009 | Most Popular Personality on TV | Template:Nom | ||
| Most Popular Presenter | Template:Nom | |||
| 2010 | Most Popular Personality on TV | Template:Nom | ||
| Most Popular Presenter | Template:Nom | |||
| 2011 | Most Popular Personality on TV | Template:Nom | ||
| Most Popular Presenter | Template:Nom | |||
| 2012 | Most Popular Personality on TV | Template:Nom | Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight, Spicks and Specks | |
| Most Popular Presenter | Template:Won | |||
| 2013 | Logie Awards | Most Popular Personality on TV | Template:Nom | Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight |
| Most Popular Presenter | Template:Nom | |||
| British Comedy Awards | Best Breakthrough Artist | Template:Won | ||
| Best Comedy Entertainment Program | Template:Nom | The Last Leg | ||
| 2014 | Logie Awards | Most Popular Presenter | Template:Nom | |
| British Comedy Awards | Best Comedy Entertainment Personality | Template:Nom | ||
| Best Comedy Entertainment Program | Template:Nom | The Last Leg | ||
| 2015 | Royal Television Society Awards | Best Entertainment Program | Template:Won | |
| 2017 British Academy Television Awards | British Academy Television Awards | Best Entertainment Performance | Template:Nom | |
| 2018 British Academy Television Awards | Template:Nom |
External links
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1970 births
- Living people
- 20th-century Australian comedians
- 21st-century Australian comedians
- Adam Hills Tonight
- Australian game show hosts
- Australian male comedians
- Congenital amputees
- Television presenters with disabilities
- Australian people with disabilities
- Television personalities with disabilities
- Australian stand-up comedians
- Australian television talk show hosts
- Comedians from Sydney
- Helpmann Award winners
- Logie Award winners
- Australian Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Macquarie University alumni
- Australian emigrants to England