Ronan Collins (born 9 October 1952) is an Irish broadcaster from Glasnevin, Dublin. Up until 23 December 2022, Collins held the prestige of maintaining one of the longest-running radio shows on Ireland’s national station, RTÉ Radio 1. At its peak, 250,000 listeners tuned in daily to The Ronan Collins Show between 12pm - 1pm, Monday - Friday.
Ronan Collins | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 October 1952 Dublin, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Education | St. Vincent's C.B.S., Glasnevin |
| Occupation | Broadcaster |
| Employer | RTÉ Radio 1 |
| Known for | The Ronan Collins Show |
| Spouse | Woody Collins |
| Children | 3 |
Life and career
editCollins started his show business career as a member of a showband playing drums.[1]
He began his national radio career on RTÉ Radio 2, having worked on pirate radio prior to that. During his television career, he presented the celebrity game show Play the Game from 1984 to 1995.[2] He also used to present Ireland’s national lottery draw,[1] and most recently A Little Bit Showband (2008–2009).
Collins has commentated on the Eurovision Song Contest for RTÉ One television.[3]
He was a presenter as part of RTE's 1992 Barcelona Olympics coverage, shaving off his moustache when Ireland won a medal.[4]
Ronan Collins left his daily lunchtime show at the end of 2022, to be replaced by Louise Duffy.[5][6] He now presents a regular music show The Collins Collection on bank holidays and will present shows for RTÉ Gold.[7]
Collins has been married to Woody since 1978, they have three children. In 2012, Collins was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.[8]
Controversies
editCollins controversially had free use of a Lexus (a luxury Toyota motor), supplied by Ben Dunne.[9]
Collins once had a memorably famous row with Louis Walsh on Liveline. Collins described Six's debut single "There's a Whole Lot of Loving Going On" as "absolutely awful" and "lacking in credibility, imagination and musicianship". Walsh called Collins "a failed showband star" who played in "Mickey Mouse bands" and told him to "go and save the kids around the world".[10]
References
edit- ^ a b Hayden, Jackie. "Interview - Ronan Collins: "I'm absolutely terrified about the way radio is going for Irish musicians and songwriters"". Hotpress.
- ^ Walsh, Kayla (14 September 2022). "Ronan Collins' favourite moment with Gay Byrne was hilariously awkward". RSVPLive.ie.
- ^ Walsh, Kayla (14 September 2022). "Ronan Collins' favourite moment with Gay Byrne was hilariously awkward". RSVP Live.
- ^ "Ronan Collins on Instagram: "I was watching Tv last night and Twink mentioned Play The Game, Circa 92/93 (when I lost the moustache). Ten years of a lot of fun memories #RTÉ #playthegame #ronancollins #throwback #rte #charades #gameshow #derekdavis #adeleking #twink #thefellafromthelotto"". Instagram.
- ^ Vaal, Danny De (10 December 2022). "RTE's Ronan Collins tells how death of Larry Gogan changed his outlook on work". Irish Mirror.
- ^ "Louise Duffy replaces Ronan Collins' slot on RTÉ Radio 1 as DJ vows to leave 'on a high'". Independent.ie. 10 December 2022.
- ^ "Ronan Collins to step away from RTÉ show after 43 years". The Irish Times.
- ^ Ward Bannon, Shauna (26 November 2021). "RTE's Ronan Collins' meet-cute with wife Woody, 'disastrous' honeymoon and her mother's objection". RSVPLive.ie.
- ^ McCormack, Declan (3 February 2002). "The man who made Ronan C famous". Irish Independent.
- ^ Jackson, Joe (3 February 2002). "Six things about Louis". Sunday Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 3 February 2002.
Indeed, as we sit in Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel four days after his famous row with RTÉ DJ Ronan Collins on Liveline, Louis says, almost plaintively, "But I'm one of the good guys!"