30 Facts About Russell Grant

Russell John Dammerall Grant was born on 5 February 1951 and is a British astrologer and media personality.

Russell Grant has written several books on astrology, provides syndicated newspaper horoscopes and operates premium rate astrology phone lines.

Russell Grant is the author of The Real Counties of Britain, and founded the Association of British Counties in 1989.

In recent years, Grant has participated in the ninth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2011 and Celebrity MasterChef in 2014.

Russell Grant was raised in a council house in the 1950s, his father working as a sales rep for a car accessory business.

Russell Grant spent most of his childhood in the care of his grandparents.

Russell Grant has worked as a Redcoat at Butlin's Holiday Camps.

Russell Grant first appeared on television talking about astrology in 1979, featuring in the Yorkshire Television programme Extraordinary, presented by Valerie Pitts and Melvin Harris.

Russell Grant was the regular astrologer on Granada Television's Live from Two which ran from 1980 to 1981.

Russell Grant is best known for his appearances on breakfast television joining BBC's Breakfast Time to present the Your Stars section from 1983 to 1986.

Russell Grant has taken the role of presenter on several shows, including Star Choice, a celebrity quiz show based on the zodiac.

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 Russell Grant were shown, in which he gave opinion on the chances of winning based on his horoscope readings.

In January 2006, Russell Grant took part in the fourth series of Celebrity Fit Club.

On 6 September 2011, it was announced that Russell Grant would take part in the ninth series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Russell Grant was eliminated from the competition on 20 November 2011 at the show's Wembley Arena weekend.

Russell Grant played a limited 12-week engagement through 6 May 2012, starring alongside Sophie Evans as Dorothy.

On 24 May 2014, it was announced that Russell Grant would be taking part in the ninth series of Celebrity MasterChef.

The series began airing on 10 June 2014 with Russell 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 Russell Grant made two types of Spring Rolls.

Russell Grant had to make a dish in order to impress the head chef.

The third and final challenge of the episode saw Russell Grant cook a two-course meal for the judges.

Russell Grant then cooked for three previous Celebrity MasterChef finalists.

Russell Grant cooked Three counties sausage toad in the hole and Honey, cinnamon and Apple crumble with custard and was eliminated from the contest.

Russell Grant helped design the badge for Brentford FC, the team he supports, though he has been a keen follower of all non-league clubs in Middlesex since the 1950s, having regularly attended games at various clubs during childhood.

Russell Grant has worked as a Redcoat at Butlin's Holiday Camps.

Russell Grant moved to Cardiff in 1969 then lived in Barry for 20 years as well as Usk near Abergavenny.

Russell Grant has been with his partner Doug Beaumont, who is his manager, for 50 years.

In 1996 Russell Grant purchased the title "Lord of the Manor of Ashford".

On 1 March 2023, Russell Grant announced that he had undergone surgery for brain cancer in December 2022, and that he was now in recovery.