Tony Collins - Biography

Tony Collins was born in Leeds, the youngest of seven children, to Irish parents who had settled in the city since the late 1940's.  His first career aspiration was to computer programming, but whilst studying at college in 1988, he stumbled into part time work at Radio Aire.  It was a role that would change the direction of his entire life.

After finishing college, Tony followed his new found dream into media.  Two decades on Tony has gained a wide experience in media, marketing, and the music and entertainment industry.

In 1989, he joined AA Roadwatch as a travel broadcaster, progressing to a management role.  This involved running the AA’s North West regional office at Cheadle Hulme near Manchester, covering radio stations, press and television on the West of the Pennines, from Stoke, up to the Scottish Borders.

In 1992 he returned to Leeds to present the weekday Magic 828 late show… the youngest ever presenter for the gold station at that time being just 21.   In November 1993, he joined sister Leeds station Aire FM, to present the afternoon show.  During his years on-air, Tony also hosted many off-air events, from small in-store promtions to large scale pop concerts.

Moving into management, in 1995 Tony took on the role of Senior Producer, and later, PR and Events Manager.  Taking a course in public relations helped Tony to become extensively involved in areas of station marketing, events, PR, one-off programme specials, and general brand management. 

Alongside this role, Tony became known to many listeners in Leeds as “Captain Collins” - presenter of the city’s first ever Flying Eye travel news service.  Tony was also responsible for managing and executing Aire FM’s involvement in the annual Party In The Park at Temple Newsam, acting as Event and Stage Manager between 1995 and 1998, helping him to build extensive relations with the music industry.

In 1998, Tony Collins took on the role of Commercial Project Manager, leading him to establish the radio station's first commercial pop concert, and also taking the highly successful “Simon Logan Wind-Ups” from radio onto CD and into the high street.

Leaving Radio Aire In February 1999, Tony established his own business, within months winning the contract to event manage Leeds United’s on-pitch Pre-Match Entertainment with presenter Chris Hopkins.  This continued for two successful years through Leeds United's peak in the Premiership and Champion's League. Also in 1999, Yorkshire Television piloted a game show format that Tony was jointly responsible for creating. Tony also continued with a variety of freelance activities including radio work, events, and PR and voice over projects.

In 2001, Tony joined Stray FM in Harrogate, later taking on responsibility for station sound, and deputising for the Programme Controller.  In 2006, Tony became Late Show presenter across the network of TLRC stations - at the time 28 stations, heard from the Isle Of Wight in the south, to Falkirk in Scotland.

In 2007, Tony joined Home FM in Huddersfield, assisting with the relaunch as The New Pennine FM, taking over the Breakfast Show with "Tony Collins In The Morning" from launch in March 2008, to April 2009. Off-air, Tony was responsible for music selection and scheduling, commercial production and station imaging.

Tony Collins currently provides a variety of media services through his business TDF Media.