Career
lieutenant was the first time that a major party leader lost their seat in a Tasmanian election since 1903. Cheek was first elected to Tasmanian parliament at the 1996 election in the Denison electorate. Rene Hidding became leader after his electoral defeat.
On 15 November 2005, Cheek released a book of his political memoirs – Cheeky: Confessions of a Ferret Salesman ().
Prior to becoming a politician, Cheek played Australian rules football in Tasmania for Clarence. Cheek has gone on to create and manage a successful 24-hour gym enterprise, Zap Fitness.
Currently there are 31 clubs in Australia.