{{Use Australian English|date=January 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Axle Whitehead | image = AxleWhiteheadImage.jpg | caption = Self-shot image of Axle Whitehead at home in 2015. | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1980|12|16}} | birth_place = Warrnambool, Australia | birth_name = Axle Whitehead | genre = Alternative rock | occupation = Actor, singer, musician | years_active = 2003–present | label = Sony Music Entertainment Australia }} '''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.<ref name="Bunny Axle resurfaces">{{cite news| title = Bunny Axle Resurfaces| url = http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,21345437-10229,00.html| date = 8 March 2007| newspaper=Herald Sun| access-date = 8 March 2007}}</ref> 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''.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.sho.com/sho/shameless/home| title = Shameless: Don't Miss the Final Season Only On Showtime {{!}} Stream Now, Catch Up on Past Seasons, Learn More about Cast & Characters - Official Series Site {{!}} SHOWTIME}} sho.com/sho/shameless/home</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/aria-flasher-axle-sacked/news-story/adfef642868f503454df0a83f94e605e?sv=335442434184b0fed25ca95724c526f8|title=ARIA flasher Axle sacked|work=Herald Sun|access-date=29 December 2017}}</ref>
Whitehead's debut single "I Don't Do Surprises" was released on radio during January 2008,<ref name="Axle Whitehead Returns To Music">{{cite news| title = Axle Whitehead Returns To Music| url = http://www.sonybmg.com.au/news/details.do?newsId=20030829005248| date = 12 November 2007| publisher = Sony BMG| access-date = 19 January 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080507025127/http://www.sonybmg.com.au/news/details.do?newsId=20030829005248| archive-date = 7 May 2008| url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}}</ref> debuting at No. 8 on the ARIA Charts in Australia on 17 March 2008.<ref name="ARIA Charts 18 March 2008">{{cite news|title=ARIA Charts 18th March 2008 |url=http://ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display.asp?chart=1U50 |date=16 March 2008 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=16 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315083445/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display.asp?chart=1U50 |archive-date=15 March 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Music reopens door for Axle Whitehead">{{cite news|title=Music Reopens Door for Axle Whitehead |url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23040087-5012964,00.html |date=12 January 2008 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=19 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113212452/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0%2C22049%2C23040087-5012964%2C00.html |archive-date=13 January 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Who">{{cite web|url=https://www.who.com.au/entertainment/axle-whitehead-masked-singer-australia-2021/|title=How The Masked Singer inspired Axle Whitehead's return to music|last=Burke|first=Tina|date=6 October 2021|work=Who|access-date=31 December 2025}}</ref>
===Acting=== Whitehead's first acting roles were minor parts in the television series ''The Secret Life of Us'', and the 2003 film, ''Ned Kelly''.<ref name="axelfired">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sunday-telegraph/whiteheads-latest-revelation/story-e6frewt9-1111118787044|title=Whitehead's latest revelation|date=8 February 2009|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=31 December 2025}}</ref> 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".<ref name="axelfired"/> He joined the cast for fifteen episodes as rocker Liam Murphy,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/tv/axle-comes-home-to-summer-bay/story-e6frf9ho-1111119030185|title=Axle Whitehead gears up for role in Home and Away|date=4 March 2009|work=Herald Sun|access-date=31 December 2025}}</ref> making his debut on 5 March 2009,<ref name="axelfired"/> and later signed to be a regular cast member. Whitehead based his portrayal of the rocker on experiences of close friends, and said "you have to find a balance between putting yourself into it and not being too cheeky."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,25348716-5012990,00.html|title=Axle Whitehead's career still spinning despite private exposure|publisher=news.com.au|date=17 April 2009|access-date=31 December 2025}}</ref>
Whitehead hosted Seven Network's ''The World's Strictest Parents''.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/weight-loss-dance-contest-unruly-teens-in-new-tv-line-up-20090711-ge7ze7.html | location=Melbourne | work=The Age| title=Weight-loss dance contest, unruly teens in new TV line-up | date=10 July 2009|access-date=31 December 2025}}</ref> In 2010, Whitehead was short-listed to host ''The X Factor Australia'', but lost out to fellow ''Home and Away'' colleague Luke Jacobz.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/australian-tv/a220169/aussie-stars-compete-for-x-factor-job/|title=Aussie stars compete for 'X Factor' job|last=Davies|first=Rebecca|date=17 May 2010|publisher=Digital Spy|access-date=31 December 2025}}</ref>
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).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/home-and-away/news/a435593/home-and-away-stars-axle-whitehead-luke-mitchell-leave-show/|title='Home and Away' stars Axle Whitehead, Luke Mitchell leave show|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=4 November 2012|publisher=Digital Spy|access-date=23 September 2017}}</ref> 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''.<ref name="Rutherford"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/axle-whitehead-joins-the-cast-of-the-us-remake-of-british-series-shameless-20150101-12gn3p.html|title=Axle Whitehead joins the cast of the US remake of British series, Shameless|last=Idato|first=Michael|date=1 January 2015|work=The Age|access-date=31 December 2025}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sho.com/sho/shameless/home|title=Shameless: Don't Miss the Final Season Only On Showtime|publisher=Showtime|access-date=31 December 2025}}</ref>
In 2014, Whitehead was the runner-up for the Heath Ledger scholarship.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://australiansinfilm.org/latest_news/3049935| title = Reference at australiansinfilm.org| access-date = 1 February 2015| archive-date = 2 February 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150202002235/http://australiansinfilm.org/latest_news/3049935| url-status = dead}} australiansinfilm.org/latest_news/3049935</ref> In 2016, he played J. T. James / Hellfire, a recurring role in ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.''<ref name="Rutherford">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/former-home-and-away-actor-axle-whitehead-reveals-hollywood-isnt-all-it-seems-as-he-ran-out-of-money/news-story/ba5b6045e7e651c22574125b3b006959?nk=cfb429b18655ca0e93ccfee99540e4e4-1506130205|title=Former Home and Away actor Axle Whitehead reveals Hollywood isn't all it seems as he 'ran out of money'|last=Rutherford|first=Karlie|date=16 September 2017|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=23 September 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Rutherford"/> From 24 January 2020, Whitehead played the guest role of Zenin Alexio in ''Neighbours''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neighbours/a30511123/neighbours-axle-whitehead-guest-role/|title=Neighbours casts former Home and Away star Axle Whitehead in mysterious guest role|last=Lee|first=Jess|date=14 January 2020|publisher=Digital Spy|access-date=11 March 2020}}</ref>
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".<ref name="Who"/> Whitehead credited the show with making him fall in love with music again.<ref name="Who"/> He joined the eighth series of ''SAS: Who Dares Wins'' as part of Team Australia. The series began airing in January 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/home-and-away/axle-whitehead-potential-home-and-away-return-newsupdate/|title=Axle Whitehead issues three-word response to potential Home and Away return|last=Mensah|first=Katelyn|date=30 December 2025|work=Radio Times|access-date=31 December 2025}}</ref>
===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.<ref>{{cite news | last = AAP | title = Axle Whitehead is Cleo bachelor of the year | work = The Age | date = 23 April 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/people/axle-whitehead-is-cleo-bachelor-of-the-year-20090423-afnz.html | access-date = 23 April 2009 | location=Melbourne| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090425063238/http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/people/axle-whitehead-is-cleo-bachelor-of-the-year-20090423-afnz.html| archive-date= 25 April 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news |last=AAP |title=Axle Whitehead named Cleo Bachelor of The Year |work=The Australian |date=22 April 2009 |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25372255-12377,00.html |access-date=28 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425163722/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C25197%2C25372255-12377%2C00.html |archive-date=25 April 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Personal life== Whitehead is from Warrnambool.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.net.au/story/7468076/internationally-renowned-singer-a-country-boy-at-heart/|title=Internationally renowned singer Axle Whitehead a country boy at heart|last=Patterson|first=Monique|date=16 October 2021|work=The Warrnambool Standard|access-date=31 December 2025}}</ref> He became engaged to his partner Liezl Carstens in 2020.<ref name="Who"/>
==Discography== {{Infobox artist discography | Artist = Axle Whitehead | Studio = 1 | Live = | Compilation = | Video = | Tribute = | EP = 1 | Singles = 3 | Music videos = 3 | Soundtrack = | Option = 2 | Option name = Guest appearances }} Whitehead competed in the third round on the first season of ''Australian Idol'' in 2003. His debut extended play, ''The Axle Whitehead Band'', was released as a collaboration in 2003 with jazz fusion band, the Axle Whitehead Band (feat. Steve Sedergreen, piano & keys). The release failed to rank on national charts. Whitehead released his debut studio album, ''Losing Sleep'', in 2008 on Roadshow Music. The album peaked at number 68 on the Australian Top 100 Albums Chart.<ref name=aria968/> The lead single "I Don't Do Surprises" debuted at number eight on the Australian Top 100 Singles Chart and received gold certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association.<ref name=charts/><ref name=suprises/> The album's subsequent singles "Anywhere" and "Satellite" did not make the top 50.<ref name=charts/>
===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of albums, with selected details and chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details ! scope="col"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| AUS<br /><ref name=aria968>{{Cite journal|publication-date = 22 September 2008|date = 15 September 2008|title = ARIA Report |url = http://www.aria.com.au/issue966.pdf|archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20081019130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20081020-0000/issue966.pdf|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2008-10-19|edition = 968|publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|page = 6 |access-date = 24 December 2008}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''Losing Sleep'' | * Released: 25 August 2008 * Format: CD, digital download * Label: Roadshow Music <small>(#3014382)</small> | style="text-align:center;"| 68 |}
===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of EPs, with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| EP details |- ! scope="row"| ''The Axle Whitehead Band'' | * Released: 2003 * Format: CD * Label: Independent |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| AUS<br /><ref name=charts>{{cite web|url=http://www.australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Axle+Whitehead|title=Axle Whitehead discography|work=Australian charts portal|publisher=australian-charts.com|access-date=25 September 2008}}</ref><ref name=aria966>{{Cite journal|publication-date = 8 September 2008|date = 1 September 2008|title = ARIA Report |url = http://www.aria.com.au/issue966.pdf|archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20081019130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20081020-0000/issue966.pdf|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2008-10-19|edition = 966|publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|page = 4 |access-date = 25 October 2008}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "I Don't Do Surprises" |rowspan="3"|2008 | 8 | * ARIA: Gold<ref name=suprises>{{cite web|access-date=24 September 2008 |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2008Singles.htm |title=2008 ARIA singles certification |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927062539/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2008Singles.htm |archive-date=27 September 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |rowspan="3"|''Losing Sleep'' |- ! scope="row"| "Anywhere" | 77 | |- ! scope="row"| "Satellite" | — | |- ! scope="row"| "Sister Sunshine" |2011 | — | |{{Non-album single}} |- | colspan="6" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. |}
===Music videos=== {| class="wikitable" |- !Year ! style="width:175px;"|Song !Director |- |rowspan="3"|2008 |"I Don't Do Surprises" ||Grant Marshall |- |"Anywhere" |rowspan="2"|Bart Borghesi |- |"Satellite" |- |2011 |"Sister Sunshine" | |}
===Guest appearances=== {| class="wikitable" |- !Year ! style="width:175px;"|Song !Other performer !Album |- |2004 |"Scatbox"<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets |title-link=Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets (album) |others=Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets |year=2004 |type=Liner |publisher=Dream Dealers}}</ref> |Joel Turner |''Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets'' |- |2005 |"Silent Night"<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=The Spirit of Christmas 2005 |title-link=The Spirit of Christmas 2005 |others=various artists |year=2005 |type=Liner |publisher=Sony BMG}}</ref> |The Axle Whitehead Band (feat. Steve Sedergreen, piano & keys). |''The Spirit of Christmas 2005'' |}
==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! 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=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! 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 |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|1468636}} * [http://www.myspace.com/axlewhitehead Axle Whitehead's Official MySpace]
{{Axle Whitehead}} {{Australian Idol}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitehead, Axle}} Category:1980 births Category:Australian Idol participants Category:Australian game show hosts Category:Australian male television actors Category:Australian alternative rock musicians Category:Living people Category:21st-century Australian singers Category:21st-century Australian male singers