Early career Grant's original career was as an actor, and he performed in a variety of productions, including ''
Tom Brown's Schooldays'' with
Keith Chegwin, who shared a similar career path from acting to television. Grant first appeared on television talking about astrology in 1979, featuring in the
Yorkshire Television programme
Extraordinary, presented by
Valerie Pitts and Melvin Harris. Grant was the regular astrologer on
Granada Television's
Live from Two which ran from 1980 to 1981. He is best known for his appearances on
breakfast television joining
BBC's
Breakfast Time to present the
Your Stars section from 1983 to 1986. Grant has also taken the role of presenter on several shows, including
Star Choice, a celebrity quiz show based on the zodiac. Following the launch of
Channel 5, Grant presented
Wideworld, a series in which members of the public were encouraged to make historical records for future generations.
2003–2005: Television presenting In 2003 Grant presented a series of eight programmes called ''Russell Grant's Sporting Scandals
for ITV and in 2004 presented The Russell Grant Show'' for
Sky One. On
Bingo Night Live, in 2008, pre-recorded videos of Grant were shown, in which he gave opinion on the chances of winning based on his horoscope readings.
2006–2011: Reality television In January 2006, Grant took part in the fourth series of
Celebrity Fit Club. In May 2010, he appeared on
Kitchen Burnout on
ITV and in January 2011 he visited
Turkey as part of
Channel 4's
Celebrity Five Go to....
2011–12: Strictly Come Dancing and theatre On 6 September 2011, it was announced that Grant would take part in the
ninth series of
Strictly Come Dancing. In the launch show, on 10 September, he was partnered with professional dancer
Flavia Cacace. He was eliminated from the competition on 20 November 2011 at the show's
Wembley Arena weekend. Grant also appeared in the 2012 series of
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two as 'Stat Man', with a guide to the numbers of winners of
Strictly Come Dancing. It was revealed in October 2012, that the annual
Children in Need Appeal Night would feature a
Strictly Come Dancing special, it featured Grant alongside
Ann Widdecombe. Beginning performances on 14 February 2012, Grant took over from
Michael Crawford in the titular role of
The Wizard of Oz. The 2011 revival played at the
London Palladium and featured new music by
Andrew Lloyd Webber and
Tim Rice. Grant played a limited 12-week engagement through 6 May 2012, starring alongside
Sophie Evans as Dorothy.
2014: Celebrity MasterChef On 24 May 2014, it was announced that Grant would be taking part in the ninth series of
Celebrity MasterChef. The series began airing on 10 June 2014 with Grant taking part in the first two episodes of the series until he was eliminated on 12 June, one stage away from reaching the semi-finals. The first challenge was the Mystery box task, where Grant made two types of Spring Rolls. The outside challenge saw Grant, along with
Jodie Kidd go to Babbo, a high-end Italian restaurant in
Mayfair, London. Grant had to make a dish in order to impress the head chef. The third and final challenge of the episode saw Grant cook a two-course meal for the judges. The meal had to be inspired by something or someone. Grant made his Aunt's Fish and Chips & Bread and Butter pudding. On the second episode dated 12 June 2014, Grant needed to identify a variety of ingredients and making Brandy snaps with piped ginger cream in the knowledge and skills test. The outside challenge was to cook for 120 people at Mount Pleasant in North London. He also then cooked for three previous
Celebrity MasterChef finalists. He cooked Three counties sausage toad in the hole and Honey, cinnamon and Apple crumble with custard and was eliminated from the contest.
Guest appearances •
Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes (27 December 2003) – Contestant •
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? – Contestant •
Loose Women (21 October 2011, 12 March 19 November 2012, 11 April 2013) – Guest •
This Morning (14 November 14 December 2011, 7 March 21 June, 23 July 31 August 2012, 6, 20 September 4, 18 October 2013) – Guest •
Daybreak (23 November 2011, 22 May 2013) – Guest • ''
Paddy's Show and Telly'' (29 December 2011) – Contestant, won £10,000 for
Alzheimer's Society •
Lorraine (20 January 24 August 2012) – Guest •
The Alan Titchmarsh Show (30 January 2012, 6, 28 February 10 September 2013) – Guest •
All Star Family Fortunes (11 February 2012) – Contestant, won £10,000 for
Alzheimer's Society •
Pointless Celebrities (2 June 2012) – Contestant, alongside
Carol Smillie • ''
Let's Do Lunch with Gino & Mel'' (21 August 2012) – Guest • ''
Britain's Secret Treasures'' (31 October 2013) – Reporter •
The Chase: Celebrity Special (21 December 2013) – Contestant, won £0, as he was caught by the "chaser" •
The Guess List (24 May 2014) – Guest •
Celebrity Squares (8 October 2014) – Guest ==Early and personal life==