Luke Jacobz

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Luke Jacobz
Born
Luke Jacob Ashwood

(1981-02-14) 14 February 1981 (age 43)
Occupation(s)Actor, television presenter
Years active1998–present
Spouse
Raychel Stuart
(m. 2023)
Children1

Luke Jacobz (born Luke Jacob Ashwood; 14 February 1981) is an Australian actor and television presenter. He is best known for his roles as Zac Croft in Heartbreak High, Patrick Brewer in McLeod's Daughters, Angelo Rosetta in Home and Away, and as presenter of the Australian version of The X Factor.

Early life[edit]

Jacobz was born Luke Jacob Ashwood.[1] Jacobz is a screen name, derived from adding a 'z' to the actor's middle name. He has one brother. Jacobz appeared in a high school production of The Man of Steel in 1995.

Career[edit]

Jacobz came to public attention when he starred as Zac Croft for two years on the Australian teen drama television series Heartbreak High. He later moved on to hosting television programs such as The Big Arvo and Popstars Live.

Jacobz made a return to acting in McLeod's Daughters as Patrick Brewer, appearing on the show between 2005 and 2008.[2] From 2008 until 2011, Jacobz played Angelo Rosetta in the Australian soap opera Home and Away. He was only originally supposed to be in the serial for six months, but proved popular with viewers.[3] Jacobz's character was written out after producers felt that he had done everything they wanted him to do.[3]

In 2008, Jacobz was crowned Dancing with the Stars champion along with dancer and mentor Luda Kroitor.[4]

Jacobz hosted seasons 2 through to 7 of The X Factor, from 2010 to 2015.[5][6]

After the death of his father, Jacobz left Australia for Los Angeles.[7] He struggled to find steady work and returned to Australia in 2017 to host Instant Hotel.[7] He was replaced by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen in 2018, however, he admitted "They needed someone with an eye for design. I'm not a home builder, I'm a host. If I was replaced by another host, I'd be upset."[7]

In 2019, Jacobz was a contestant in the fifth Australian season of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! He was eliminated along with Angie Kent in a double elimination, making them the ninth and tenth contestants to leave the jungle.[8]

From 13 August 2020, he reprised his role of Angelo Rosetta and returned to Home and Away in a recurring role. He departed the series on 26 November 2020.[9]

Personal life[edit]

Jacobz has ADHD.[7] His father John Ashwood died of brain cancer in 2015.[7]

He previously dated his Dancing with the Stars partner Luda Kroitor.[10] In 2018, Jacobz got engaged to his partner Raychel Stuart. The couple married in Centennial Park in June 2023, after they had to postpone their original wedding plans twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] The following month, they announced they were expecting their first child,[12] and Stuart gave birth to their daughter on 14 November 2023.[13]

Jacobz was charged with drink driving on 31 May 2015 in Sydney, returning a 0.116 reading, well above the 0.05 limit.[14] In court, he pleaded guilty and lost his licence for 12 months and was fined AU$700.[15]

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1997–1999 Home and Away Student Guest
Chris Brown Guest
Lucas Guest
1997 Heartbreak High Homeless Youth Guest
1998–1999 Zac Croft Main cast
2001–2005 The Big Arvo Presenter
2004 Popstars Live Host
2005–2009 McLeod's Daughters Patrick Brewer Season 5 (guest), Season 6–8 (main cast)
2008 The Singing Bee Himself Contestant
2008 Hole in the Wall Himself Guys Vs Gals, On Guys Team
2008, 2021 Dancing with the Stars Himself Winner of Season 8 Season 18 All Star
2008–2011, 2020 Home and Away Angelo Rosetta Season 21–24 (main cast), Season 33 (recurring)
2009 Beauty and the Geek Australia Judge 1 Episode
2010–2015 The X Factor (Australia) Host Seasons 2–7
2017 Instant Hotel Host Season 1
2019 I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Himself Contestant
2019 The Proposal Host Season 1 (8 episodes)

Awards[edit]

In 2010, Jacobz was nominated for the Silver Logie Award for the most popular actor for his role on Home and Away.[16]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Banks, Laura (15 July 2015). "The X Factor's Luke Jacobz found guilty of second drink driving offence in 10 years". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  2. ^ Men steal the show
  3. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (13 August 2020). "Home and Away – who is Angelo Rosetta and why is he back?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  4. ^ Jacobz wins dance off, smh.com.au; accessed 10 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Home and Away star replaces Newton on X Factor". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 August 2010. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021.
  6. ^ Jacobz returns to host X Factor, couriermail.com.au; accessed 9 July 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d e Zubeidi, Zara (15 January 2019). "Luke Jacobz reflects on a difficult few years: "Why I had to leave Australia"". TV Week. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  8. ^ Burke, Tina (13 February 2019). "Exclusive! I'm A Celeb's Luke Jacobz reveals: "I'm ready to be a father"". TV Week. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  9. ^ Cullen, Tamara (28 November – 4 December 2020). "Case closed". TV Week. No. 48. p. 5.
  10. ^ "Luke Jacobz in romance with Luda Kroitor". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  11. ^ "Luke Jacobz married at last!". New Idea. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  12. ^ Mitchell, Harriet (11 July 2023). "Former Home and Away star Luke Jacobz announces baby news after wedding". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  13. ^ Kearney, Georgie (20 November 2023). "Ex Home and Away star Luke Jacobz announces the birth of first child". 7News. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  14. ^ Moran, Jonathon (11 June 2015). "X Factor host Luke Jacobz tells court 'I couldn't be more regretful and apologetic' over drink driving". Perth Now. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  15. ^ "X Factor's Luke Jacobz loses licence for DUI". Sky News Australia. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  16. ^ "Logies: complete list of nominations". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 March 2010. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023.

External links[edit]

Preceded by
Bridie Carter & Craig Monley
Dancing with the Stars (Australia) winner
Season 8 (Late 2008 with Luda Kroitor)
Succeeded by
Adam Brand & Jade Hatcher