Jimmy Rees Now: What Happened to the Giggle and Hoot Star

If you grew up watching Giggle and Hoot in Australia, you remember the cheerful face of Jimmy Giggle. But the man behind that character, James Rees, has swapped the puppet sidekick for a microphone and a sold-out tour.

Full Name: James Rees ·
Born: 15 July 1987 ·
Known For: Jimmy Giggle on ABC Kids ·
Number of Children: 3 sons ·
Instagram Followers: 1 million ·
Award: Order of Australia Medal (OAM)

The key facts below draw from verified public records and official tour announcements.

What does Jimmy Rees do now?

Jimmy Rees is currently active as a stand‑up comedian touring Australia and New Zealand. His 2025 show In Reel Life is a 9‑date run presented by Frontier Touring (tour promoter) and visits every major city. He also posts regular comedy videos on X (official social media) and appears occasionally as a guest on TV shows such as 7NEWS.

The implication: Social media has accelerated his career shift, making him less dependent on network gatekeepers.

Does Jimmy Rees have twins?

Jimmy Rees has three sons, but they are not twins. The misconception may stem from his joking online about twins. He frequently shares photos of his three boys individually on his X profile (official social media), and no public record lists twins. The family resides in Australia.

Given his active sharing of individual photos, any notion of twins is purely speculative.

What happened to the guy from Giggle and Hoot?

Jimmy Rees played Jimmy Giggle on ABC Kids’ Giggle and Hoot from the late 2000s until the show ended in 2019 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)). He left the program to focus on his own comedy career. Since then he has built a personal brand through social media and live tours, drawing more than 100,000 audience members across his three previous tours (Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (venue operator)).

“Psyched to be touring my brand‑new live show IN REEL LIFE around Australia and heading to New Zealand for the very first time.”

— Jimmy Rees on X (official social media)

The pattern: He successfully transitioned from a children’s TV persona to an independent comedy brand, leveraging his existing audience.

Where does Jimmy Rees live now?

Jimmy Rees resides in Australia. His exact city or suburb is not publicly confirmed. He often posts from various locations while touring. His X profile lists “Australia” as his location (Jimmy Rees on X (location field)).

What this means: His exact residence remains private, but he is clearly Australian-based and frequently on the move.

Who is Jimmy Rees?

Early life and career

• Born James Rees on 15 July 1987 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
• Began his television career as a presenter on ABC Kids before creating the character Jimmy Giggle.

Rise to fame on ABC Kids

• Played the beloved character Jimmy Giggle on Giggle and Hoot for over a decade (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
• Awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to entertainment (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).

The catch: The New Zealand expansion introduces logistical challenges but also access to a fresh audience base.

Timeline signal

Sixteen years of career data, one clear pattern: each phase builds on the last, from children’s TV to a self‑sustained comedy brand.

• 15 July 1987 — Born James Rees in Australia (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
• Late 2000s – 2019 — Played Jimmy Giggle on ABC Kids’ Giggle and Hoot (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
• 2020 – present — Builds personal comedy brand through social media and live tours (Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (venue operator)).
• 2025 — Touring In Reel Life across Australia and New Zealand, his first‑ever New Zealand dates (The Note (Australian culture news)).

The pattern: Each milestone builds momentum, culminating in the 2025 trans-Tasman tour.

What others say

“Jimmy Rees’s 2025 live show is titled ‘In Reel Life’.”

— Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (venue operator)

“The tour is coming after more than 100,000 audience members across Rees’s previous three tours.”

— Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (venue operator)

“Jimmy Rees is bringing his brand‑new live show IN REEL LIFE to Australia and New Zealand.”

— The Note (Australian culture news)

For Australian and New Zealand audiences, the opportunity to see Rees live in 2025 offers a chance to witness a performer who has successfully navigated the shift from screen to stage. With sold‑out shows from previous tours, the demand is clear: Jimmy Rees is no longer just a children’s TV host — he’s a comedy force in his own right.

Frequently asked questions

The bottom line: Rees has built a sustainable career by staying authentic and connecting directly with his audience through multiple channels.