Axle Whitehead

Axle Whitehead (born 16 December 1980) is an Australian TV host, singer, musician, and actor. He was a host on Video Hits. In 2008, he released his first studio album Losing Sleep which debuted outside the ARIA top 50. He also played Liam Murphy in Channel Seven's Home and Away and was the host of The World's Strictest Parents. In 2015, Whitehead began playing the role of Davis, a musician, in the Showtime series, Shameless. He formerly hosted the game show The Wall.

Career

Music In 1999 Whitehead was accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts to study Jazz Improvisation, then toured Australia and China with various bands. He was originally a contestant on the first series of Australian Idol in 2003. He failed to win the competition but made it into the top twenty. After being spotted on Idol, he was hired to host the television music show, Video Hits on Network Ten, hosting from 2004 to 1 November 2006. He travelled the world interviewing artists such as Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Oasis and Duran Duran. In October 2006, Whitehead was sacked as TV presenter of Video Hits after exposing himself on stage during the ARIA Music Awards.

Whitehead's debut single "I Don't Do Surprises" was released on radio during January 2008, debuting at No. 8 on the ARIA Charts in Australia on 17 March 2008. It also received airplay on Nova radio and surfaced on TV advertisements for popular Channel 10 shows House and Women's Murder Club, and Channel 7's Home and Away, being described as a cross between Coldplay and Robbie Williams. His debut album, Losing Sleep was mixed by UK mixer, David Treahearn and released through Roadshow Music on 22 August 2008. Whitehead made his return to Video Hits on 24 February 2008, and to Australian Idol on 5 September 2008, though only as a guest to promote his debut album. The third single off Losing Sleep, Satellite has received significant play on Channel V and Video Hits.

Whitehead released the soul-country single "One Gun" in 2021.

Acting Whitehead's first acting roles were minor parts in the television series The Secret Life of Us, and the 2003 film, Ned Kelly. After taking acting lessons for eighteen months, Whitehead auditioned for a role in Home and Away, which he described as "such a great place to learn and hone your skills". making his debut on 5 March 2009,

Whitehead hosted Seven Network's The World's Strictest Parents. In 2010, Whitehead was short-listed to host The X Factor Australia, but lost out to fellow Home and Away colleague Luke Jacobz.

Whitehead departed Home and Away in late 2012 to expand his acting career. He filmed his final scenes along with colleague Luke Mitchell (Romeo Smith). Whitehead moved to Los Angeles. After 18 months as an out of work actor, he landed a role in season 5 of the series Shameless. He played an Australian rock singer named Davis, a love interest of Fiona Gallagher (Emmy Rossum). He appeared in the first four episodes of Season 5 and a brief appearance in Episode 8.

In 2014, Whitehead was the runner-up for the Heath Ledger scholarship. In 2016, he played J. T. James / Hellfire, a recurring role in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. This role reunited him with Home and Away star Luke Mitchell.

In 2017, Whitehead began hosting Australian game show The Wall, which is based on the U.S. show of the same name.

In 2021, Whitehead appeared on season three of The Masked Singer Australia making it to the Grand Final and finishing in third place as "Mullet".

Cleo Bachelor of the Year On 22 April 2009, Whitehead was announced Cleo Bachelor of the Year, beating competition from sportsmen, actors and other personalities. Sarah Oakes, Cleo Editor-in-chief denied the claims that Whitehead won as a direct result of a self-marketing ploy; "[He] is that perfect combination of good looks, charm, charisma and the kind of guy you'd be really happy to take home and introduce to your mum."

Personal life Whitehead is from Warrnambool. He became engaged to his partner Liezl Carstens in 2020.

Released: 25 August 2008 Format: CD, digital download Label: Roadshow Music (#3014382)

Extended plays + List of EPs, with selected details Title EP details The Axle Whitehead Band Released: 2003 Format: CD Label: Independent

Singles + List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album AUS "I Don't Do Surprises"2008 8 ARIA: Gold Losing Sleep "Anywhere" 77 "Satellite" — "Sister Sunshine"2011 — "—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Music videos YearSongDirector2008"I Don't Do Surprises"Grant Marshall"Anywhere"Bart Borghesi"Satellite"2011"Sister Sunshine"

Guest appearances

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2010 We of the Walls Mr. Lester Short film 2010 Storm in a teacup Edward Short film 2016 Run Aussie bartender Short film, post production 2016 Brock Colin Bond Television film, filming 2017 Craftique Bucky Pre-production

Television Year Title Role Notes 2004 The Secret Life of Us Guy at bar 1 episode 2009–2013 Home and Away Liam Murphy 682 episodes 2009–2012 The World's Strictest Parents Himself Narrator 2015 Shameless Davis 5 episodes 2015 The Doctor Blake Mysteries Len Webster 1 episode 2016 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. J. T. James / Hellfire 6 episodes 2017 The Wall Himself, presenter 6 episodes 2020 Neighbours Zenin Alexio Recurring role