Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 28, 2026

Alan Brough

Alan Brough is a New Zealand actor, television and radio host and comedian based in Australia. He is best known for his role as a team captain on Spicks and Specks, which he has been on consistently since its inception in 2005.

Last revised
May 28, 2026
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Alan Brough
Alan Brough in 2008
Born1967 (age 58–59)
Hāwera, New Zealand12
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • television presenter
  • author
  • radio host
Known forSpicks and Specks

Alan Brough (/broʊ/;3 born 1967)4 is a New Zealand actor, television and radio host and comedian based in Australia.5 He is best known for his role as a team captain on Spicks and Specks, which he has been on consistently since its inception in 2005.12

Early life

Brough worked as an actor in Wellington and Auckland, mainly in live theatre. He also appeared in a series of butter commercials as a drag queen called Marge.2

Career

In 1993, Brough appeared in the New Zealand sitcom Melody Rules1 (widely regarded as a poor programme, being described as "cringeworthy").67 In 1995, Brough moved to Australia,1 where he worked on Kath & Kim as well as in films including The Craic, The Nugget and Bad Eggs. He also appeared on a national radio show on Triple M called Tough Love.

In 2008, he was appointed as host of the Sunday morning program on 774 ABC Melbourne and across Victoria, replacing Helen Razer. He remained in the position for three years until 2011. Brough had a supporting role in the 2012 Australian comedy Any Questions for Ben?, created by Working Dog Productions.8 That year, Brough performed the role of Baron Bomburst in the Australian production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Brough has also written junior fiction, he released the novel Charlie And The War Against The Grannies in 2016, which was successful enough to warrant a sequel the following year. His work on these novels has been compared to that of Andy Griffiths, and David Walliams.9

Personal life

Brough has been with his partner, theatrical agent Helen Townshend, since 1991. They have a daughter, Daisy, born in 2011.1011

References

References

  1. Lallo, Michael (15 February 2007). "Captain Alan takes his time". Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
  2. "Spicks and Specks About the program – Alan Brough". Australia: ABC Television. 1 December 2005. Archived from the original on 18 January 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
  3. "Alan Brough is back!". Booktopia. 26 June 2017. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  4. Lallo, Michael (26 February 2007). "Hey, Brough". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  5. "That Specksial feeling". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. 28 May 2007.
  6. Lang, Sarah (23 November 2009). "3's company". The New Zealand Herald. APN. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
  7. "Hey, Brough". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. 26 February 2007.
  8. Schembri, Jim (9 February 2012). "Any Questions for Ben?". Age. Fairfax. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  9. zackids (24 July 2016). "Charlie and the War Against the Grannies by Alan Brough". My Best Friends Are Books. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  10. "Down and dirty with The Sound of Music". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 April 2011.
  11. "Lunch with ... Alan Brough". The Age. 14 January 2012.
External links