Dai Henwood
Henwood in 2018
Born
Dafydd Morgan Henwood

(1978-02-07) February 7, 1978 (age 46)
Wellington, New Zealand[1]
Alma materVictoria University of Wellington
Years active1999–present
SpouseJoanna Kelly
Children2
Parent(s)Ray Henwood (father)
Carolyn Henwood (mother)
RelativesDick Jones (great-grandfather)
AwardsBilly T Award (2002)
Fred Award (2007, 2015)

Dafydd Morgan "Dai" Henwood;[2] born 7 February 1978)[3] is a New Zealand stand-up comedian and television host.[4] Henwood started performing comedy when he was studying Theatre and Film at Victoria University of Wellington. His career in television began in 1999 when he appeared on the TV2 comedy show Pulp Comedy. Henwood then went on to began touring internationally as a stand-up comedian in 2004 to then hosting the television show Insert Video Here on C4.

From 2009 until 2022 Henwood was a regular panel guest on the New Zealand comedy show 7 Days as the weekly captain. Henwood continues to perform stand-up comedy as well as host and makes regular appearances on various television shows around New Zealand.[5][6]

Early life and education

Henwood was born to father Ray and mother Judge Carolyn Henwood. Henwood has stated his great-grandfather was Welsh international rugby player Dick Jones.[7][8] Henwood went to Wellington College for secondary school. Henwood studied Theatre and Film at Victoria University of Wellington, graduating with a BA in eastern religions,[9] before winning 'Best New Face' on TV2's Pulp Comedy in 1999,[10] the Billy T Award in 2002[11] and the Fred Award in 2007.[12]

Career

In 2004 and 2005, Henwood toured the shows The Hot Stepper and Champagne Table Tennis, and performed at the Tokyo Comedy Store and in Melbourne and around Britain.[13] He subsequently performed seasons in both Auckland and Wellington during the New Zealand International Comedy Festival including the shows Dai-namic Scenarios (2007 & 2008),[14] Shabba (2009),[15] Dai Another Day (2009),[16] Ideals vs. Reality (2010),[17] Fonzie Touched Me (2011)[18] and Adapt Or Dai (2013).[19] In 2008 he was invited to the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival and recorded a televised gala special.[20]

Henwood spent a period on TV3's Sunrise morning show, as the gadget guy, giving humorous reviews of the latest gadgets.[21][22] He subsequently rose to prominence after featuring on television station C4 hosting Insert Video Here in 2007.[23][24] Henwood then went on to host two series of comedy travel show Roll The Dai on the same network.[25]

From 2009 until 2022, Henwood was weekly captain of Team Two on TV3's weekly panel comedy show 7 Days, filming over 150 episodes in that time.[26][27] He now appears occasionally.

Henwood has recorded two DVDs: Dai Another Day, released by EMI in late 2009, and Adapt or Dai, released by Universal Music in 2013.[28]

In 2016, Henwood was presented with the Rielly Comedy Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand.[29]

Henwood is set to release a memoir, The Life of Dai, in June 2024 through HarperCollins.[30]

Personal life

Henwood is known for being a fan of NRL team the New Zealand Warriors.[31]

Henwood is married to art teacher Joanna 'Jo' Kelly. They have two children.[32][33]

In January 2023, in an interview on The Project, Henwood shared publicly that he was diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer in 2020.[34][35]

Filmography

Film

Title Year Role Notes
Derby Dogs 2012 Mr. Lumsden
A Kiwi Legend 2013 Himself Short film

Television

Title Year Role Notes
The Tribe 1999 Boy / Youth No.1 2 episodes
Xena: Warrior Princess 2001 Siki Episode: "Old Ares Had a Farm"
Revelations – The Initial Journey 2003 Carlos Episode: "David and Mr. G"
Insert Video Here 2007 Host
Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards 2007–09 Host
Roll the Dai 2007–08 Host
Jono's New Show 2008 Himself
Dai's Protege 2009 Host
7 Days 2009–present Team 1 Leader / Team 2 Leader
Stand Up 2010 Documentary
The Jono Project 2010 Himself
7 Days of Sport 2015 Forwards Leader / Team Member
Family Feud 2016–17 Host
The Moe Show 2017 Himself 2 episodes
The Project 2017- Backup Host
Dancing with the Stars 2018 Host
LEGO Masters NZ 2022- Host
Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee 2023 Himself
Taskmaster NZ 2023 Himself

Awards and nominations

Source:[36]

Year Award Result
1999 Dynamic Innovative Video Awards Winner
1999 Best New Face Award Winner
2002 Billy T James Comedy Award Winner
2004 The New Zealand Comedy Guild Awards Winner - Best Male Comedian
2005 The New Zealand Comedy Guild Awards Winner - Best Male Comedian
2006 The New Zealand Comedy Guild Awards Winner - Best Television Performance
2006 The New Zealand Comedy Guild Awards Best MC
2007 TV Guide Best On The Box Awards Nomination Winner - Funniest Person On Television
2007 The New Zealand Comedy Guild Awards Nomination The Kevin Smith Memorial Cup for Best Artist Achievement
2007 The New Zealand Comedy Guild Awards Nomination Best New Zealand On Screen Comedy Performance
2007 The New Zealand Comedy Guild Awards Nomination Best Male Comedian
2007 Cleo Music Awards Best Music TV Presenter
2007 Best New Zealand Comedian The Fred Award

See also

References

  1. ^ "Dai Henwood Biography". Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  2. ^ Dai Henwood Explains Himself to PJ Taylor of The Times. 2007 WCOBA Lampstand, p. 41. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  3. ^ "TaskMaster.Info - Dai Henwood". taskmaster.info. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  4. ^ Moore, Rachel (31 July 2023). "Dai Henwood hid cancer diagnosis for almost two years, now hosting comedy show fundraiser". Stuff. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Dai Henwood". New Zealand Comedy Trust. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  6. ^ Screen, NZ On. "Dai Henwood | NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  7. ^ "'The Times Interview - Dai Henwood, Explain Yourself to PJ Taylor'". times.co.nz. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  8. ^ Jones, Harry (23 January 2014). "Smith versus Jones: rugby's surname face-off". The Roar. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  9. ^ Nippert, Matt (5–11 May 2007). "Upfront: Dai Henwood". New Zealand Listener. 208 (3495). Retrieved 13 April 2008.
  10. ^ "Dai Henwood opens up about cancer battle, from 'so much crying' to 'loving tomorrow'". Newshub. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Billy T Award". NZ International Comedy Festival. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  12. ^ "The Fred Award". NZ International Comedy Festival. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  13. ^ Cowan, John. "Comedian Dai Henwood tells John Cowan about living sober and his exploration of spirituality". ZB. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Dai Henwood – Dai-namic Scenarios". Theatreview. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Keeping New Zealand Awesome Since 1978 | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Dai Henwood". New Zealand Comedy Trust. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  17. ^ "What I Pack: Dai Henwood - Travel News". NZ Herald. 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  18. ^ "Comedy Festival: Dai Henwood - Entertainment News". NZ Herald. 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Dai Henwood: Adapt or Dai review". Newshub. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Dai Henwood". TEDxChristchurch. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  21. ^ "SUNRISE. 03/12/2008". www.ngataonga.org.nz. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  22. ^ FEA, SUE (2 July 2009). "Float like a Conchord, sting like a bumble bee". Stuff. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  23. ^ "INSERT VIDEO HERE. 26/07/2006". www.ngataonga.org.nz. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  24. ^ "Comedy.co.nz - The home of live NZ comedy. Comedians, News, Reviews , Video, Venues. The Classic Comedy Bar and Classic Studio - DAI HENWOOD". www.comedy.co.nz. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  25. ^ "TV Review: Roll the Dai". NZ Herald. 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  26. ^ Smithies, Grant (16 October 2021). "Dai Henwood on quitting alcohol, meditation and being buried alive". Stuff. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  27. ^ "Spy: 7 Days shock: Rejig for popular team captains". NZ Herald. 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  28. ^ "New Zealand Comedic Genius Returns to Dai-VD | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  29. ^ "VAC Awards - Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc". 13 May 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  30. ^ "The Life of Dai". HarperCollins. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Dai Henwood shares cancer update, reveals love of the Warriors and fans help him 'forget about cancer'". New Zealand Herald. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  32. ^ "Dai Henwood's new direction: 'I'm living in the moment'". NZ Herald. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  33. ^ "Dai Henwood welcomes baby girl". Now To Love. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  34. ^ "Dai Henwood reveals he has stage 4 bowel cancer". Newshub. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  35. ^ "Dai Henwood reveals special lesson in his brave cancer battle". NZ Herald. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  36. ^ "Presenter biography" (PDF). johnsonlaird.com. Retrieved 21 April 2023.

External links

Billy T Award
Fred Award
Categories