Biographie
Tim Healy is the younger son of Timothy Malcolm Healy and Sadie Wilson. During his childhood, his family lived on Coulson Street in Benwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where his mother ran a small shop. At age 10, they relocated to Ouston. He attended Pelton Modern School, earning two Grade 4 CSEs.
At 16, following his father's wishes, he began an apprenticeship at Birtley Caterpillar, earning £26 a week, though he disliked the job. He then enrolled at Durham Technical College but failed all exams except for O level drama, which he continued to study at A level. He started performing stand-up comedy in clubs, debuting in Sunderland. At that time, it was possible to tour clubs extensively within a year without repeating venues. His acting talent was inherited from his father, an amateur actor whose professional aspirations were halted by World War II. After marrying and starting a family, his father's acting dreams ended, but he supported Tim’s early career by staying up late to hear about his performances.
As a child, Tim participated in several Birtley Amateur Operatic Society productions, but his professional journey began as a court jester at Langley Castle in Northumberland, playing roles such as Robin Hood, Dracula, and Old King Cole. Eventually, he took on responsibilities including writing scripts, directing shows, and organizing bands. He formed a double act called Unit Two with a friend, which led to television and stage work and a three-year period as a stand-up comic in the mid-1970s. His major breakthrough came in 1983 when he landed the role of site foreman in the TV comedy-drama series 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet', starring alongside fellow Geordies Kevin Whately and Jimmy Nail. The show ran for five series between 1983 and 2004.
In 1988, he married actress Denise Welch. They have two sons: Matthew, the lead singer of the band The 1975, and Louis, an actor. Tim’s younger brother works as a child care officer in Stanley, County Durham.
