Rachael Healy
@rachaelhealy.bsky.social
Journalist/lapsed mackem | Features/reviews/investigations. Mostly on culture. Currently reporter @theobserveruk.bsky.social (plus bits in @theguardian.com) | British Journalism Awards winner 2023
https://www.theguardian.com/profile/rachael-healy
https://www.theguardian.com/profile/rachael-healy
Pinned
Rachael Healy
@rachaelhealy.bsky.social
· Apr 24
Little work update: on 7 May I'll be joining the Observer team for six months as a full-time reporter.
Get in touch with tips on anything you think I should be digging into. I'll be covering my usual arts and culture patch, but also other topics.
Get in touch with tips on anything you think I should be digging into. I'll be covering my usual arts and culture patch, but also other topics.
Reposted by Rachael Healy
Love this @rachaelhealy.bsky.social feature on Problems with Julia Masli for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
You can still catch up with Julia Masli and @taliaaugustidis.bsky.social' documentary in BBC Radio 4's Illuminated podcast... observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
You can still catch up with Julia Masli and @taliaaugustidis.bsky.social' documentary in BBC Radio 4's Illuminated podcast... observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
No laughing matter: meet Julia Masli, the clown who wants to fix all our problems | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Love this @rachaelhealy.bsky.social feature on Problems with Julia Masli for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
You can still catch up with Julia Masli and @taliaaugustidis.bsky.social' documentary in BBC Radio 4's Illuminated podcast... observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
You can still catch up with Julia Masli and @taliaaugustidis.bsky.social' documentary in BBC Radio 4's Illuminated podcast... observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Rachael Healy
Read her original story in full here:
www.the-londoner.co.uk/no-laughing-...
www.the-londoner.co.uk/no-laughing-...
No laughing matter: Why didn’t a top Soho comedy club pay its performers?
21Soho was meant to breathe life into London's stand-up scene. Yet dozens of artists and former staff members paint a portrait of a company in utter chaos.
www.the-londoner.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Read her original story in full here:
www.the-londoner.co.uk/no-laughing-...
www.the-londoner.co.uk/no-laughing-...
Reposted by Rachael Healy
🎉 Big News 🎉
We're proud to see @rachaelhealy.bsky.social has been shortlisted at The British Journalism Awards, in part for her Londoner exposé on the comedy club 21Soho.
We're proud to see @rachaelhealy.bsky.social has been shortlisted at The British Journalism Awards, in part for her Londoner exposé on the comedy club 21Soho.
October 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
🎉 Big News 🎉
We're proud to see @rachaelhealy.bsky.social has been shortlisted at The British Journalism Awards, in part for her Londoner exposé on the comedy club 21Soho.
We're proud to see @rachaelhealy.bsky.social has been shortlisted at The British Journalism Awards, in part for her Londoner exposé on the comedy club 21Soho.
Thanks to @pressgazette.co.uk and the British Journalism Awards judges for shortlisting me for the Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award, and congratulations to everyone who made the lists
October 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Thanks to @pressgazette.co.uk and the British Journalism Awards judges for shortlisting me for the Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award, and congratulations to everyone who made the lists
Delighted to be shortlisted for best news story in the @freelancingfor.bsky.social Freelance Journalism Awards 2025, for a story about the treatment of workers on Strictly Come Dancing, commissioned when I was freelancing for @theobserveruk.bsky.social last year. Congrats to all on the shortlist!
October 4, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Delighted to be shortlisted for best news story in the @freelancingfor.bsky.social Freelance Journalism Awards 2025, for a story about the treatment of workers on Strictly Come Dancing, commissioned when I was freelancing for @theobserveruk.bsky.social last year. Congrats to all on the shortlist!
Reposted by Rachael Healy
Laugh-washing in Saudi.
This week, Jimmy Carr and Jack Whitehall join a bill of top comedians performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. This is despite human rights abuses in the country.
Listen to today's Sensemaker wherever you get your podcasts to discover more:
lnk.to/VmVKTaBS
This week, Jimmy Carr and Jack Whitehall join a bill of top comedians performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. This is despite human rights abuses in the country.
Listen to today's Sensemaker wherever you get your podcasts to discover more:
lnk.to/VmVKTaBS
October 2, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Laugh-washing in Saudi.
This week, Jimmy Carr and Jack Whitehall join a bill of top comedians performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. This is despite human rights abuses in the country.
Listen to today's Sensemaker wherever you get your podcasts to discover more:
lnk.to/VmVKTaBS
This week, Jimmy Carr and Jack Whitehall join a bill of top comedians performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. This is despite human rights abuses in the country.
Listen to today's Sensemaker wherever you get your podcasts to discover more:
lnk.to/VmVKTaBS
On today’s @theobserveruk.bsky.social Sensemaker: Self-declared free speech comics like Jimmy Carr are at the first Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. Critics say they’re laundering the reputation of a state that brutally restricts its own citizens’ free speech observer.co.uk/listen/daily...
Laugh-washing in Saudi | The Observer
<p><span style=
observer.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 8:05 AM
On today’s @theobserveruk.bsky.social Sensemaker: Self-declared free speech comics like Jimmy Carr are at the first Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. Critics say they’re laundering the reputation of a state that brutally restricts its own citizens’ free speech observer.co.uk/listen/daily...
Reposted by Rachael Healy
i've been trying out the Sensemaker pod in the mornings, with mixed results. thought today's one about the Riyadh festival and human rights was *very* good, then realised of course it was, because it was written by @rachaelhealy.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 6:23 AM
i've been trying out the Sensemaker pod in the mornings, with mixed results. thought today's one about the Riyadh festival and human rights was *very* good, then realised of course it was, because it was written by @rachaelhealy.bsky.social
Reposted by Rachael Healy
Want to be clear that the predictable violence against the police wasn't the only problem with yesterday's march
It's that 100,000 angry racists gathered in London for the biggest racist march in 50 years, and anyone not white had to steer clear
The govt can't see that because they are inadequate.
It's that 100,000 angry racists gathered in London for the biggest racist march in 50 years, and anyone not white had to steer clear
The govt can't see that because they are inadequate.
September 14, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Want to be clear that the predictable violence against the police wasn't the only problem with yesterday's march
It's that 100,000 angry racists gathered in London for the biggest racist march in 50 years, and anyone not white had to steer clear
The govt can't see that because they are inadequate.
It's that 100,000 angry racists gathered in London for the biggest racist march in 50 years, and anyone not white had to steer clear
The govt can't see that because they are inadequate.
What links Tommy Robinson, Charlie Kirk and a host of extremely online conspiracy theorists? Money from a so-called “counter-jihad” US billionaire. My colleague @thejohnsimpson.bsky.social maps the connections observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
US cash turned Tommy Robinson into the poster boy of UK f...
Outside the Old Bailey in 2018, a reinvented Tommy Robinson flashed his perfect new teeth to 2,000 diehard supporters at a “free Tommy” rally on a stage ...
observer.co.uk
September 14, 2025 at 7:39 AM
What links Tommy Robinson, Charlie Kirk and a host of extremely online conspiracy theorists? Money from a so-called “counter-jihad” US billionaire. My colleague @thejohnsimpson.bsky.social maps the connections observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
September 2, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by Rachael Healy
Winning the Edinburgh Comedy Awards' 'panel prize'
Winning the Edinburgh Comedy Awards' 'panel prize'
by Isabelle Adam of Comedy Club 4 Kids
dlvr.it
August 30, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Winning the Edinburgh Comedy Awards' 'panel prize'
Reposted by Rachael Healy
As @taskmaster.tv gets ready to celebrate its 20th series, 10 years on TV, and 15 years since the original live Fringe show, I went behind the scenes to find the secrets of its success. Read all about it in the @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
August 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
As @taskmaster.tv gets ready to celebrate its 20th series, 10 years on TV, and 15 years since the original live Fringe show, I went behind the scenes to find the secrets of its success. Read all about it in the @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Rachael Healy
Edinburgh comedy award winner Sam Nicoresti: ‘Actually, this whole show is a monumental failure!’
Edinburgh comedy award winner Sam Nicoresti: ‘Actually, this whole show is a monumental failure!’
The comic was determined to make a blockbuster standup show that didn’t address trans issues. Then she changed her mind – and scooped comedy’s biggest prize
www.theguardian.com
August 27, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Edinburgh comedy award winner Sam Nicoresti: ‘Actually, this whole show is a monumental failure!’
As @taskmaster.tv gets ready to celebrate its 20th series, 10 years on TV, and 15 years since the original live Fringe show, I went behind the scenes to find the secrets of its success. Read all about it in the @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
August 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
As @taskmaster.tv gets ready to celebrate its 20th series, 10 years on TV, and 15 years since the original live Fringe show, I went behind the scenes to find the secrets of its success. Read all about it in the @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Rachael Healy
As the Fringe enters its first full week, I spoke to a few artists about the endurance test of the festival and pushing their physical and psychological boundaries with daring shows observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Onstage orgasms, live tattooing, ‘embracing our mucky par...
The month-long festival can be an endurance test for many its performers, as they confront their emotional and physical boundaries
observer.co.uk
August 4, 2025 at 10:12 AM
As the Fringe enters its first full week, I spoke to a few artists about the endurance test of the festival and pushing their physical and psychological boundaries with daring shows observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
As the Fringe enters its first full week, I spoke to a few artists about the endurance test of the festival and pushing their physical and psychological boundaries with daring shows observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Onstage orgasms, live tattooing, ‘embracing our mucky par...
The month-long festival can be an endurance test for many its performers, as they confront their emotional and physical boundaries
observer.co.uk
August 4, 2025 at 10:12 AM
As the Fringe enters its first full week, I spoke to a few artists about the endurance test of the festival and pushing their physical and psychological boundaries with daring shows observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Rachael Healy
All that is not action is noise.
This week's column on Gaza as politicians rinse and repeat statements of concern without meaningful pressure on Israel.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column on Gaza as politicians rinse and repeat statements of concern without meaningful pressure on Israel.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Protesting over Gaza’s starvation feels like screaming into a void – but we mustn’t stop | Nesrine Malik
Political platitudes and a few trucks of aid won’t save the children dying now. But they show leaders can’t ignore public opinion for ever, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
July 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
All that is not action is noise.
This week's column on Gaza as politicians rinse and repeat statements of concern without meaningful pressure on Israel.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column on Gaza as politicians rinse and repeat statements of concern without meaningful pressure on Israel.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Rachael Healy
I spent months on this investigation and gathered docs from the UK courts, Land Registry and a French local authority, to show that Raynor and Moth Winn's story is not as they claim. @tortoisemedia.bsky.social @observeruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
The real Salt Path: how the couple behind a bestseller le...
Penniless and homeless, the Winns found fame and fortune with the story of their 630-mile walk to salvation. We can reveal it was far from the truth
observer.co.uk
July 6, 2025 at 6:06 AM
I spent months on this investigation and gathered docs from the UK courts, Land Registry and a French local authority, to show that Raynor and Moth Winn's story is not as they claim. @tortoisemedia.bsky.social @observeruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Rachael Healy
💊The NHS is battling "medieval" levels of untreated illness in some of Britain's poorest communities – at a cost to the health service of about £50bn a year, or the same as the defence budget.
My big read from Barrow, Blackpool, Burnley and Blackburn:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
My big read from Barrow, Blackpool, Burnley and Blackburn:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
June 30, 2025 at 7:27 AM
💊The NHS is battling "medieval" levels of untreated illness in some of Britain's poorest communities – at a cost to the health service of about £50bn a year, or the same as the defence budget.
My big read from Barrow, Blackpool, Burnley and Blackburn:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
My big read from Barrow, Blackpool, Burnley and Blackburn:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Rachael Healy
The battle of Tattle: gossip victims call for website that abuses influencers to shut
Public figures tell of impact on their mental health after being targeted by Tattle Life.
Public figures tell of impact on their mental health after being targeted by Tattle Life.
The battle of Tattle: gossip victims call for website th...
Public figures tell of impact on their mental health after being targeted by Tattle Life
bit.ly
June 21, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The battle of Tattle: gossip victims call for website that abuses influencers to shut
Public figures tell of impact on their mental health after being targeted by Tattle Life.
Public figures tell of impact on their mental health after being targeted by Tattle Life.
Reposted by Rachael Healy
🚨ICYMI I’ve spent months talking to policewomen abused by fellow officers about how their partners used police training and authority to facilitate abuse - and how their own forces closed ranks when they asked for help.
Read: observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/5j5L...
Read: observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/5j5L...
‘Staying silent is no longer an option’: female police of...
When a domestic abuser is also a fellow police officer, victims have been subjected to further trauma as forces close ranks against them. Now survivors a...
observer.co.uk
June 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
🚨ICYMI I’ve spent months talking to policewomen abused by fellow officers about how their partners used police training and authority to facilitate abuse - and how their own forces closed ranks when they asked for help.
Read: observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/5j5L...
Read: observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/5j5L...
Unbound authors and former staff members who want to talk, including anonymously, get in touch at rachael.healy@observer.co.uk
UNBOUND AUTHORS: We’ve prepared a letter you can send to administrators to demand things like expedited rights reversion, no AI use, return of electronic files (cover art, typesetting, etc) and the option to get any remaining copies of your books. DM me and I will send the template over
June 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Unbound authors and former staff members who want to talk, including anonymously, get in touch at rachael.healy@observer.co.uk
Reposted by Rachael Healy
Great reporting from @londonermag.bsky.social - a public school entrepreneur starts a buzzy comedy club in Soho and then comes up with a million excuses not to pay performers.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/no-laughing-...
www.the-londoner.co.uk/no-laughing-...
No laughing matter: Why didn’t a top Soho comedy club pay its performers?
21Soho was meant to breathe life into London's stand-up scene. Yet dozens of artists and former staff members paint a portrait of a company in utter chaos.
www.the-londoner.co.uk
June 9, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Great reporting from @londonermag.bsky.social - a public school entrepreneur starts a buzzy comedy club in Soho and then comes up with a million excuses not to pay performers.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/no-laughing-...
www.the-londoner.co.uk/no-laughing-...
Reposted by Rachael Healy
21Soho was meant to breathe life into London’s stand-up scene. Yet dozens of artists and former staff members paint a portrait of a company in chaos.
My @londonermag.bsky.social debut today with a story about the artists bearing the brunt of business failure
www.the-londoner.co.uk/no-laughing-...
My @londonermag.bsky.social debut today with a story about the artists bearing the brunt of business failure
www.the-londoner.co.uk/no-laughing-...
No laughing matter: Why didn’t a top Soho comedy club pay its performers?
21Soho was meant to breathe life into London's stand-up scene. Yet dozens of artists and former staff members paint a portrait of a company in utter chaos.
www.the-londoner.co.uk
June 7, 2025 at 11:58 AM
21Soho was meant to breathe life into London’s stand-up scene. Yet dozens of artists and former staff members paint a portrait of a company in chaos.
My @londonermag.bsky.social debut today with a story about the artists bearing the brunt of business failure
www.the-londoner.co.uk/no-laughing-...
My @londonermag.bsky.social debut today with a story about the artists bearing the brunt of business failure
www.the-londoner.co.uk/no-laughing-...