Dave Hughes: The $10b Offer He'd Turn Down

Monday, 18 May 2026, at 4:30 am

Dave Hughes is one of six celebrities interviewed for The Assembly.

Dave Hughes has been doing comedy on Australian TV and radio for almost 30 years.

Despite being famous, Dave Hughes is a bit different from what people think.

He likes to live a clean life and is vegan and sober.

Dave Hughes said, 'I haven't had a drink since 1992.'

He used to drink a lot when he was young, and it made him unhappy.

There's a picture of Dave Hughes drinking with friends when he was in his 20s.

Dave Hughes said he couldn't drink just a little, so he stopped drinking altogether.

He would get very drunk and sometimes wake up in a police cell.

Dave Hughes said he wasn't violent, but he would be locked up for his own safety.

He decided to stop drinking before he turned 22 and also stopped using drugs.

It wasn't just his behavior that made him choose to be sober.

Dave Hughes talks to journalism students about his experience with alcohol.

He said, 'I came from a long line of drinkers.'

Dave Hughes grew up with his dad drinking too much, which was stressful for him.

He thinks his dad would have had a better life if he hadn't drunk so much.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call for support.

Once Dave Hughes decided to quit drinking, he didn't go back.

He said, 'I made a decision, and I just stopped drinking.'

If you realize alcohol is bad for you, you can just stop drinking.

Dave Hughes said it wasn't hard for him to stop drinking.

People often think Dave Hughes is hungover, but he's just tired.

He jokes that people think he had a big night, but he just needs sleep.

His wife thinks he's addicted to work.

Dave Hughes admits he has a problem with work and comedy.

He was on Australian Story and said he's addicted to work and comedy.

There's a picture of Dave Hughes with his wife and kids.

Dave Hughes said he spent a lot of time wanting to be famous and liked.

He's still trying to find a balance between work and family time.

His wife thinks he's addicted to work, and he needs to get it right.

When Dave Hughes started working on The Project, he was doing too much.

He said he should have been home more, but he was worried about his ego.

There are pictures of Dave Hughes working on the radio and TV.

Despite what his dad said, Dave Hughes didn't think family was important at first.

But now he understands what his dad was saying.

Dave Hughes forgives his dad for drinking too much when he was a kid.

He said his dad had a lot of wisdom.

Dave Hughes wants to be a good parent to his 16-year-old son.

He's trying not to make the same mistakes his dad did.

There's a picture of Dave Hughes with his son Rafferty.

Laughter is very important to Dave Hughes.

Comedy will always be a big part of who he is.

He said comedy was his first love.

Dave Hughes loves comedy more than anything, even before his kids were born.

There's a picture of Dave Hughes at the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

Dave Hughes was asked how much money it would take for him to quit comedy.

He said the joy of making people laugh is everything to him.

Even when he's dying, Dave Hughes will still be making jokes.

He said he'll be making jokes on his deathbed.

You can watch The Assembly on ABC iview or on ABC TV.

Monday, 18 May 2026, at 4:30 am

Monday, 18 May 2026, at 6:23 am

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