Justin Lee Collins
Encyclopedia
Justin Lee Collins, commonly known as JLC, (born 28 July 1974) is an award-winning English
comedian
and television presenter.
A Bristol
ian, he's well known for his strong West Country
accent, shaggy appearance and colourful shirts.
Collins is often associated with nostalgia programmes, such as Bring Back...
, in which he discusses cult films, music and television programmes. Other notable works include his breakthrough show The Friday Night Project
, which he co-presented with Alan Carr
, its Sunday spin-off
, and The Convention Crasher
. In recent years he's presented travel documentaries for channel 5
, like Justin Lee Collins: Turning Japanese
.
In 2010 Collins made an unsuccessful campaign to represent Britain
and Ireland
in the annual Eurovision Song Contest
with a song written by Ronan Keating
. In the same year he also helped launch the Bristol charity Shine Together, which aims to benefit patients at Southmead Hospital
.
, Bristol
, to working class parents, Anita and Danny Collins, a self employed electrician
. Collins is an only child. In 1990, Collins left education at Speedwell Technology College (Now known as Bristol Brunel Academy) at the age of 15 with no qualifications and started working at Marks & Spencer
as ware house operative. Three years later he was accepted into Filton College
and earned a BTEC
in performing arts and drama, thanks to his father who urged him to pursue his real passion.
As a child, Collins was fascinated with Pop culture and cult television, his favorite film was Star Wars
and he was influenced by Morecambe and Wise
, Tommy Cooper
and Les Dawson
.
Collins' ex wife Karen (married 2003-2010)) gave birth to their first child, a boy called Archie, on 16 May 2005. During his appearance on UK daytime television show This Morning
on 17 January 2008, Collins announced that his wife had recently given birth to their second son, Harvey. Collins separated from his wife in late 2010.
Collins is a long time sufferer of psoriasis
, which causes sores to appear on his body and scalp. Collins keep his hair long to cover up his irritated scalp.
In 2009, Collins reduced his weight from a reported 15 stone (95 kg) to a reported 12 stone (76 kg) while training for the Sky1 programme Justin Lee Collins: Dancer.
Collins is a Bristol City F.C.
fan. He is a patron of the charity Bristol Kids, run by Heart Bristol, a radio station based in Bristol.
in 1997 and reached the finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards
at the Edinburgh Festival
the same year. Justin gave stand-up comedy in 2002 to concentrate fully on TV and radio presenting.
Collins has stated he will never return to Stand-Up comedy.
in 2003, initially on Sundays at 1 to 3 am, but later progressing to Saturday afternoons from 3 to 6 pm. He left in December 2005 and returned to host the Saturday 2 to 6pm slot during April 2011.
Collins was heard performing a Tom Jones
impersonation on BBC Radio 1
's Chris Moyles
Show in January 2008.
Collins sat in for Dermot O'Leary
Saturday show on BBC Radio 2
on 17 September 2011.
In 2002, Collins made a number of shows for Bravo and MTV but his big break came when he became the host of the companion show for the first series of Strictly Come Dancing
. He was replaced by Claudia Winkleman
the following year and the show moved from BBC Three
to BBC Two
.
In 2005 and 2006, Collins presented The Games: Live At Trackside on E4 alongside Caroline Flack
. The series was the companion show to Channel 4
's sport
s-based reality
programme The Games.
He was also one of the presenters of Channel 4
and Paramount
's Flipside TV
.
Collins is one of the current presenters of The Sunday Night Project
(previously named The Friday Night Project) alongside Alan Carr
for Channel 4
. He has also hosted a number of Bring Back...
shows in which he aims to reunite groups, normally who are associated with TV or music. He also made a series for Channel 4 entitled The Convention Crasher, aired in late 2007 and early 2008, in which he learned skills such as clown
ing and ventriloquism
in an attempt to win prizes at professional conventions.
On 7 May 2007, he became the latest "celebrity friend" of Paul O'Grady
to fill the comic's shoes as guest presenter on The New Paul O'Grady Show
on Channel 4 whilst O'Grady took a break.
Collins appeared on Top Gear
with Alan Carr on 22 June 2008, for the Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car segment.
His most recent programme was entitled Bring Back Star Trek and featured him trying to bring back the cast of the popular 1960s television series.
He signed a £3 million deal with ITV
for a show which focused on topical issues, but with a comedic twist, titled The Justin Lee Collins Show
on ITV2
which ran from March to May 2009.
In 2009 Collins became the host of the Sky1 show Oops TV
, which shows home videos of people doing stupid things and things going badly wrong.
There is also an Oops TV
show on Sky2
which has a different name: instead of Oops TV
it is Oops TV 2.
His catchphrases include "Good Times!" (and occasionally "Bad Times!"), "I love it!", "Get in!", "I'm the Honeyman!", "Rock On!" "Cheeky", "Acid Jazz!" and "Rock and roll!". Aside from his passion for cult television whether it is The A-Team
and Mr. T
or The New Avengers, he is known to be a big fan of classic rock
music. He can often be seen wearing T-shirts depicting his favourite bands.
JLC Is, a six-part series on Sky1 HD in August 2009 showed the comedian taking on challenges to become a Mexican Wrestler, a Surfer, a Ballroom Dancer, a Ten Pin Bowler, a High Diver and a West End Star.
On 11 September 2009, whilst being interviewed on BBC Radio 1
's Chris Moyles Show it was announced that Collins had signed an exclusive deal with Channel 5, and Collins confirmed that he would therefore not be making another series of The Justin Lee Collins Show
for ITV2
. On joining Five he hosted the game show 'Heads Or Tails', where players can win up to £1m by correctly calling coin flips and a chat show called 'Good Times'. 'Heads or Tails' has since been cancelled due to poor viewing figures.
Darts
Collins is known for his passion for darts
and often cites it as his favourite sport. In June 2008, a show was aired on Sky One
entitled Justin Lee Collins: 180, which followed his quest to be a professional darts player. In the show, he practised with Keith Deller
and played in the BDO International Open, which took place on 15 June 2008. He lost in the first round 3-0 in legs to county player Stuart Bousfield, who was in the top 100 in the BDO rankings at the time. He is nicknamed The Bristol Flyer.
The Wrestler
In Justin Lee Collins: The Wrestler, Justin aims to be allowed to compete in a Mexican wrestling
(Lucha libre) match. He trains for 10 days in Mexico with a Mexican transvestite Luchador (Mexican wrestler) who fights under the name Cassandro
, as an exotico. Justin adopts a rudo (bad guy)
Luchador persona, El Glorioso, or The Glorious One, with his own wrestling mask
. His persona is given the blessing of El Hijo del Santo
(The Son of Saint). Returning to London, Justin fights Cassandro in a Lucha libre event in The Roundhouse
, ultimately losing and being de-masked.
After failing to be chosen to represent the United Kingdom in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest
, on 22 January 2010 Collins announced on RTÉ's The Late Late Show
his intention to seek the nomination to represent Ireland. His proposed song has been written by Boyzone
star Ronan Keating
. However, RTÉ confirmed on February 9, 2010, that the song was not short listed for the Irish final. Two shows, Eurovision: A Song For Justin, aired on UK Channel Five on 19 May 2010 and 26 May 2010 and included contributions from Dana
, Bucks Fizz
, Maarja-Liis Ilus
, Koit Toome
, Ronan Keating
and John Kennedy O'Connor
.
in London's famous West End
. For a TV programme on Sky One Collins learned the skills necessary to perform on the musical stage, gaining a part in the hit show Chicago (musical)
. Playing alongside Aoife Mulholland
(as his wife Roxie Hart) Collins rehearsed for the role of Amos Hart at the Cambridge Theatre. Collins said of his role, "I'm over the moon to be playing the sexiest part in the best show on the West End stage. I've already gone through a dozen pairs of tights.".
From August 2011 Collins will play Dennis Dupree in The West End
production of Rock Of Ages
.
"Sooty: The Great Race" (2011) (CiTV
)
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and television presenter.
A Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
ian, he's well known for his strong West Country
West Country
The West Country is an informal term for the area of south western England roughly corresponding to the modern South West England government region. It is often defined to encompass the historic counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset and the City of Bristol, while the counties of...
accent, shaggy appearance and colourful shirts.
Collins is often associated with nostalgia programmes, such as Bring Back...
Bring Back...
Bring Back... is a British television series comprising one-off shows where Justin Lee Collins tries to locate people from music, TV or film backgrounds to reunite them for a one-off performance or get-together...
, in which he discusses cult films, music and television programmes. Other notable works include his breakthrough show The Friday Night Project
The Friday Night Project
The Sunday Night Project was a British comedy-variety show by Princess Productions that first aired on Channel 4 in February 2005 under the title The Friday Night Project...
, which he co-presented with Alan Carr
Alan Carr
Alan Carr is an English comedian and television personality. Born in Weymouth, he was raised in Northampton before moving to Manchester during his early 20's....
, its Sunday spin-off
The Sunday Night Project
The Sunday Night Project was a British comedy-variety show by Princess Productions that first aired on Channel 4 in February 2005 under the title The Friday Night Project...
, and The Convention Crasher
The Convention Crasher
The Convention Crasher is the title of a documentary originally broadcast in the United Kingdom on 25 January 2007 on Channel 4. The one-off documentary followed Justin Lee Collins as he entered the world of celebrity lookalikes and attempted to become one himself before visiting a convention for...
. In recent years he's presented travel documentaries for channel 5
Channel 5
-In the Americas:*Channel 5 – Rosario, Argentine television station, founded in 1964, which broadcasts from the city of Rosario*Great Belize Television, Belize television station, known as "Channel 5", founded in 1991 and broadcasting from Belize City...
, like Justin Lee Collins: Turning Japanese
Justin Lee Collins: Turning Japanese
Justin Lee Collins: Turning Japanese is a British Documentary on channel five in the United Kingdom, it features Justin Lee Collins taking a cultural trip to Japan....
.
In 2010 Collins made an unsuccessful campaign to represent Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in the annual Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
with a song written by Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating
Ronan Patrick John Keating is an Irish recording artist, singer-songwriter, musician, and philanthropist. Keating debuted on the professional music scene alongside Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Stephen Gately, in 1994 as the lead singer of Boyzone. His solo career started in 1999, and...
. In the same year he also helped launch the Bristol charity Shine Together, which aims to benefit patients at Southmead Hospital
Southmead Hospital
Southmead Hospital is a large hospital, situated in the northern suburbs of Bristol, England, part of the North Bristol NHS Trust.The hospital opened in 1902 as a 64 bed workhouse for poor sick people. By 1911 there were 520 beds....
.
Early life
Collins was born on 28 July 1974 in SouthmeadSouthmead
Southmead is a northern suburb and council ward of Bristol, in the southwest of England. The town of Filton , and the Bristol suburbs of Monks Park, Horfield, Henleaze and Westbury on Trym lie on its boundaries....
, Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, to working class parents, Anita and Danny Collins, a self employed electrician
Electrician
An electrician is a tradesman specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, stationary machines and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the installation of new electrical components or the maintenance and repair of existing electrical infrastructure. Electricians may also...
. Collins is an only child. In 1990, Collins left education at Speedwell Technology College (Now known as Bristol Brunel Academy) at the age of 15 with no qualifications and started working at Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer
Marks and Spencer plc is a British retailer headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, with over 700 stores in the United Kingdom and over 300 stores spread across more than 40 countries. It specialises in the selling of clothing and luxury food products...
as ware house operative. Three years later he was accepted into Filton College
Filton College
Filton College is a further education college in Filton, Bristol, England.The main site lies on the A38 just south of Filton Aerodrome. A second major campus, dedicated to performing arts, fine art and sport, and known as WISE , opened in 2005 adjacent to Filton High School, near Bristol Parkway...
and earned a BTEC
Business And Technology Education Council (BTEC)
The Business and Technology Education Council is the British body which awards vocational qualifications. Such qualifications are commonly referred to as "BTECs"....
in performing arts and drama, thanks to his father who urged him to pursue his real passion.
As a child, Collins was fascinated with Pop culture and cult television, his favorite film was Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
and he was influenced by Morecambe and Wise
Morecambe and Wise
Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, usually referred to as Morecambe and Wise, or Eric and Ernie, were a British comic double act, working in variety, radio, film and most successfully in television. Their partnership lasted from 1941 until Morecambe's death in 1984...
, Tommy Cooper
Tommy Cooper
Thomas Frederick "Tommy" Cooper was a very popular British prop comedian and magician from Caerphilly, Wales.Cooper was a member of The Magic Circle, and respected by traditional magicians...
and Les Dawson
Les Dawson
Leslie "Les" Dawson was a popular English comedian remembered for his deadpan style, curmudgeonly persona and jokes about his mother-in-law and wife.-Life and career:...
.
Personal life
This Morning (TV series)
This Morning is a British daytime television programme broadcast on ITV. As of September 2011, its main presenters are Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, and Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, with various other presenters standing in for illness or contributing to sections of the programme.The...
on 17 January 2008, Collins announced that his wife had recently given birth to their second son, Harvey. Collins separated from his wife in late 2010.
Collins is a long time sufferer of psoriasis
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. However, psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of...
, which causes sores to appear on his body and scalp. Collins keep his hair long to cover up his irritated scalp.
In 2009, Collins reduced his weight from a reported 15 stone (95 kg) to a reported 12 stone (76 kg) while training for the Sky1 programme Justin Lee Collins: Dancer.
Collins is a Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
fan. He is a patron of the charity Bristol Kids, run by Heart Bristol, a radio station based in Bristol.
Stand-up comedy
He started his path into performing arts started as a stand-up comic whilst working part time as a Double-Glazing window demonstrator. winning best New Comedy act at the Glastonbury FestivalGlastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
in 1997 and reached the finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards
BBC New Comedy Awards
The BBC New Comedy Awards first appeared in 1995 and were considered to be one of the top UK comedy newcomer awards until they were axed in 2006. It was announced in the summer of 2006 that they were being replaced by a nationwide talent hunt that places its emphasis on sketch writing and filmed...
at the Edinburgh Festival
Edinburgh Festival
The Edinburgh Festival is a collective term for many arts and cultural festivals that take place in Edinburgh, Scotland each summer, mostly in August...
the same year. Justin gave stand-up comedy in 2002 to concentrate fully on TV and radio presenting.
Collins has stated he will never return to Stand-Up comedy.
Radio
Collins began hosting a radio show on XFMXfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
in 2003, initially on Sundays at 1 to 3 am, but later progressing to Saturday afternoons from 3 to 6 pm. He left in December 2005 and returned to host the Saturday 2 to 6pm slot during April 2011.
Collins was heard performing a Tom Jones
Tom Jones (singer)
Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records...
impersonation on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
's Chris Moyles
Chris Moyles
Christopher David Moyles is an English radio and television presenter and author, who currently presents The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 and Chris Moyles' Quiz Night on Channel 4....
Show in January 2008.
Collins sat in for Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary is an English television and radio presenter. He established himself as a presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother on Channel 4 before moving on to The X Factor on ITV. O'Leary has also presented on the BBC and has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2...
Saturday show on BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
on 17 September 2011.
Television work
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
. He was replaced by Claudia Winkleman
Claudia Winkleman
Claudia Anne I. Winkleman is an English television presenter, film critic, radio personality and journalist.- Early life and family :...
the following year and the show moved from BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
to BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
.
In 2005 and 2006, Collins presented The Games: Live At Trackside on E4 alongside Caroline Flack
Caroline Flack
Caroline Louise Flack is a British television presenter. She is known for presenting I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! NOW! from 2008 to 2010....
. The series was the companion show to Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
s-based reality
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
programme The Games.
He was also one of the presenters of Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
and Paramount
Paramount Comedy 1
Comedy Central in the United Kingdom and Ireland is a localised version of Comedy Central which first began in the United States in the 1990s. The television channel is available through the Sky, Virgin Media, TalkTalk TV in the United Kingdom, Sky Ireland, UPC Ireland and Magnet Networks in the...
's Flipside TV
Flipside TV
Flipside TV was a television programme broadcast by Channel 4, Nation 277 and Paramount in the UK. It was presented mainly by Richard Bacon and guest hosts, including Justin Lee Collins and Iain Lee...
.
Collins is one of the current presenters of The Sunday Night Project
The Sunday Night Project
The Sunday Night Project was a British comedy-variety show by Princess Productions that first aired on Channel 4 in February 2005 under the title The Friday Night Project...
(previously named The Friday Night Project) alongside Alan Carr
Alan Carr
Alan Carr is an English comedian and television personality. Born in Weymouth, he was raised in Northampton before moving to Manchester during his early 20's....
for Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
. He has also hosted a number of Bring Back...
Bring Back...
Bring Back... is a British television series comprising one-off shows where Justin Lee Collins tries to locate people from music, TV or film backgrounds to reunite them for a one-off performance or get-together...
shows in which he aims to reunite groups, normally who are associated with TV or music. He also made a series for Channel 4 entitled The Convention Crasher, aired in late 2007 and early 2008, in which he learned skills such as clown
Clown
Clowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by the grotesque image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose, which evolved to project their actions to large audiences. Other less grotesque styles have also...
ing and ventriloquism
Ventriloquism
Ventriloquism, or ventriloquy, is an act of stagecraft in which a person manipulates his or her voice so that it appears that the voice is coming from elsewhere, usually a puppeteered "dummy"...
in an attempt to win prizes at professional conventions.
On 7 May 2007, he became the latest "celebrity friend" of Paul O'Grady
Paul O'Grady
Paul James Michael O'Grady MBE is an English comedian, television presenter, actor, writer and radio DJ. He is best known for presenting the daytime chat television series, The Paul O'Grady Show and, more recently, Paul O'Grady Live, as well as his drag queen comedic alter ego, Lily Savage, as...
to fill the comic's shoes as guest presenter on The New Paul O'Grady Show
The Paul O'Grady Show
The Paul O'Grady Show was a BAFTA award-winning British comedy chat show hosted by Birkenhead-born comedian Paul O'Grady. The format was originally devised by Granada Television and was broadcast on ITV before moving to Channel 4...
on Channel 4 whilst O'Grady took a break.
Collins appeared on Top Gear
Top Gear (current format)
Top Gear is a British television series about motor vehicles, primarily cars. It began in 1977 as a conventional motoring magazine show. Over time, and especially since a relaunch in 2002, it has developed a quirky, humorous style...
with Alan Carr on 22 June 2008, for the Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car segment.
His most recent programme was entitled Bring Back Star Trek and featured him trying to bring back the cast of the popular 1960s television series.
He signed a £3 million deal with ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
for a show which focused on topical issues, but with a comedic twist, titled The Justin Lee Collins Show
The Justin Lee Collins Show
The Justin Lee Collins Show is a British television talk show recently aired Thursday nights on the digital channel ITV2 starring Justin Lee Collins. Justin has a small band on the show and a continuing theme is to mention Labi Siffre as part of a joke. The series ended after one series after...
on ITV2
ITV2
ITV2 is a 24 hour, free-to-air entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It was launched on 7 December 1998, and is available on digital television via satellite, cable, IPTV and terrestrial platforms. The channel has the...
which ran from March to May 2009.
In 2009 Collins became the host of the Sky1 show Oops TV
Oops TV
Oops TV is a British television programme which shows humorous videos of people and animals. The show was hosted and narrated by Justin Lee Collins. It is Sky1's rival to You've Been Framed!....
, which shows home videos of people doing stupid things and things going badly wrong.
There is also an Oops TV
Oops TV
Oops TV is a British television programme which shows humorous videos of people and animals. The show was hosted and narrated by Justin Lee Collins. It is Sky1's rival to You've Been Framed!....
show on Sky2
Sky2
Sky2 is a British television channel originally launched on 2 December 2002 as Sky One Mix. Sky2 is now available on Sky, Virgin Media, Smallworld Cable and TalkTalk TV platforms in the UK. It is also available in the Republic of Ireland on the UPC Ireland platform.-Rebrand:Sky One Mix was...
which has a different name: instead of Oops TV
Oops TV
Oops TV is a British television programme which shows humorous videos of people and animals. The show was hosted and narrated by Justin Lee Collins. It is Sky1's rival to You've Been Framed!....
it is Oops TV 2.
His catchphrases include "Good Times!" (and occasionally "Bad Times!"), "I love it!", "Get in!", "I'm the Honeyman!", "Rock On!" "Cheeky", "Acid Jazz!" and "Rock and roll!". Aside from his passion for cult television whether it is The A-Team
The A-Team
The A-Team is an American action adventure television series about a fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces personnel who work as soldiers of fortune, while on the run from the Army after being branded as war criminals for a "crime they didn't commit". The A-Team was created by...
and Mr. T
Mr. T
Mr. T is an American actor known for his roles as B. A. Baracus in the 1980s television series The A-Team, as boxer Clubber Lang in the 1982 film Rocky III, and for his appearances as a professional wrestler. Mr. T is known for his trademark African Mandinka warrior hairstyle, his gold jewelry,...
or The New Avengers, he is known to be a big fan of classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
music. He can often be seen wearing T-shirts depicting his favourite bands.
JLC Is, a six-part series on Sky1 HD in August 2009 showed the comedian taking on challenges to become a Mexican Wrestler, a Surfer, a Ballroom Dancer, a Ten Pin Bowler, a High Diver and a West End Star.
On 11 September 2009, whilst being interviewed on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
's Chris Moyles Show it was announced that Collins had signed an exclusive deal with Channel 5, and Collins confirmed that he would therefore not be making another series of The Justin Lee Collins Show
The Justin Lee Collins Show
The Justin Lee Collins Show is a British television talk show recently aired Thursday nights on the digital channel ITV2 starring Justin Lee Collins. Justin has a small band on the show and a continuing theme is to mention Labi Siffre as part of a joke. The series ended after one series after...
for ITV2
ITV2
ITV2 is a 24 hour, free-to-air entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It was launched on 7 December 1998, and is available on digital television via satellite, cable, IPTV and terrestrial platforms. The channel has the...
. On joining Five he hosted the game show 'Heads Or Tails', where players can win up to £1m by correctly calling coin flips and a chat show called 'Good Times'. 'Heads or Tails' has since been cancelled due to poor viewing figures.
Darts
Collins is known for his passion for darts
Darts
Darts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target fixed to a wall. Though various boards and games have been used in the past, the term "darts" usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules...
and often cites it as his favourite sport. In June 2008, a show was aired on Sky One
Sky One
Sky1 is the flagship BSkyB entertainment channel available in the United Kingdom and Ireland.The channel first launched on 26 April 1982 as Satellite Television, and is the fourth-oldest TV channel in the United Kingdom, behind BBC One , ITV and BBC Two...
entitled Justin Lee Collins: 180, which followed his quest to be a professional darts player. In the show, he practised with Keith Deller
Keith Deller
Keith Deller is an English darts player, who won the Embassy World Professional Darts Championship in 1983. He was the first qualifier ever to win the championship and remains one of the youngest champions in history...
and played in the BDO International Open, which took place on 15 June 2008. He lost in the first round 3-0 in legs to county player Stuart Bousfield, who was in the top 100 in the BDO rankings at the time. He is nicknamed The Bristol Flyer.
The Wrestler
In Justin Lee Collins: The Wrestler, Justin aims to be allowed to compete in a Mexican wrestling
Lucha libre
Lucha libre is a term used in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, for a form of professional wrestling that has developed within those countries...
(Lucha libre) match. He trains for 10 days in Mexico with a Mexican transvestite Luchador (Mexican wrestler) who fights under the name Cassandro
Cassandro
Saul Armendariz is a Mexican luchador, or professional wrestler, who works as an exotico for Asistencia Asesoría y Administración and several independent promotions all over the world under the ring name Cassandro. He is the current NWA World Welterweight Champion and a former UWA World...
, as an exotico. Justin adopts a rudo (bad guy)
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
Luchador persona, El Glorioso, or The Glorious One, with his own wrestling mask
Wrestling mask
A Wrestling mask is a fabric based mask that some professional wrestlers wear as part of their in-ring persona or gimmick. Professional wrestlers have been using masks as far back as 1915 and they are still widely used today, especially in Lucha Libre in Mexico.-History:In 1915 a North American...
. His persona is given the blessing of El Hijo del Santo
El Hijo del Santo
Jorge Guzmán Rodríguez , better known as El Hijo del Santo , is a Mexican professional wrestler, political activist and one of the most successful stars in Lucha Libre...
(The Son of Saint). Returning to London, Justin fights Cassandro in a Lucha libre event in The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is a Grade II* listed former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, London, England, which has been converted into a performing arts and concert venue. It was originally built in 1847 as a roundhouse , a circular building containing a railway turntable, but was only used for railway...
, ultimately losing and being de-masked.
Singing
Eurovision Song ContestAfter failing to be chosen to represent the United Kingdom in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
, on 22 January 2010 Collins announced on RTÉ's The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
his intention to seek the nomination to represent Ireland. His proposed song has been written by Boyzone
Boyzone
Boyzone are an Irish boy band comprising Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating,Shane Lynch, and formerly Stephen Gately. Boyzone have 19 singles in the top 40 UK charts and 21 singles in the Ire charts. The group currently have 6 UK number one singles and 9 number one singles in Ireland with 12...
star Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating
Ronan Patrick John Keating is an Irish recording artist, singer-songwriter, musician, and philanthropist. Keating debuted on the professional music scene alongside Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Stephen Gately, in 1994 as the lead singer of Boyzone. His solo career started in 1999, and...
. However, RTÉ confirmed on February 9, 2010, that the song was not short listed for the Irish final. Two shows, Eurovision: A Song For Justin, aired on UK Channel Five on 19 May 2010 and 26 May 2010 and included contributions from Dana
Dana Rosemary Scallon
Dana Rosemary Scallon , known in her singing career simply as Dana, is an Irish singer and former Member of the European Parliament ....
, Bucks Fizz
Bucks Fizz (band)
Bucks Fizz are an English pop group who achieved success in the 1980s, most notably for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up". The group was formed in January 1981 specifically for the contest and comprised four vocalists: Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and...
, Maarja-Liis Ilus
Maarja-Liis Ilus
Maarja-Liis Ilus, sometimes better known by her performing name Maarja is a pop musician. Maarja has achieved some chart success in a number of countries across Europe and Asia...
, Koit Toome
Koit Toome
Koit Toome is an Estonian singer and musical actor.-Career:In late 1994 the highly successful pop duo Code One consisting of Koit Toome and Sirli Hiius was formed by the producer Mikk Targo...
, Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating
Ronan Patrick John Keating is an Irish recording artist, singer-songwriter, musician, and philanthropist. Keating debuted on the professional music scene alongside Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Stephen Gately, in 1994 as the lead singer of Boyzone. His solo career started in 1999, and...
and John Kennedy O'Connor
John Kennedy O'Connor
John Kennedy O'Connor is an author, entertainment and political commentator, based in the United States. Born in North London, United Kingdom, he has written, reported and broadcast for numerous media organizations, as well as writing, creating and producing media events for a number of...
.
Musical theatre
Following on from the idea of learning to play professional darts Collins has performed in professional Musical TheatreMusical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
in London's famous West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
. For a TV programme on Sky One Collins learned the skills necessary to perform on the musical stage, gaining a part in the hit show Chicago (musical)
Chicago (musical)
Chicago is a musical set in Prohibition-era Chicago. The music is by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal"...
. Playing alongside Aoife Mulholland
Aoife Mulholland
Aoife Mulholland is an Irish actress and musical theatre performer from Salthill, Galway. Aoife is a successful leading lady in London's West End...
(as his wife Roxie Hart) Collins rehearsed for the role of Amos Hart at the Cambridge Theatre. Collins said of his role, "I'm over the moon to be playing the sexiest part in the best show on the West End stage. I've already gone through a dozen pairs of tights.".
From August 2011 Collins will play Dennis Dupree in The West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
production of Rock Of Ages
Rock of Ages (musical)
Rock of Ages is a rock/jukebox musical, with a book by Chris D'Arienzo, built around classic rock hits from the 1980s, especially from the famous glam metal bands of the decade. The musical features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Asia, among...
.
Book
In September 2009 Collins' autobiography Good Times! was published by Ebury Press.Television credits
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The Convention Crasher The Convention Crasher is the title of a documentary originally broadcast in the United Kingdom on 25 January 2007 on Channel 4. The one-off documentary followed Justin Lee Collins as he entered the world of celebrity lookalikes and attempted to become one himself before visiting a convention for... (2007, 2008) (Channel 4) The Paul O'Grady Show The Paul O'Grady Show was a BAFTA award-winning British comedy chat show hosted by Birkenhead-born comedian Paul O'Grady. The format was originally devised by Granada Television and was broadcast on ITV before moving to Channel 4... (2007) Guest Presenter (Channel 4) Oops TV Oops TV is a British television programme which shows humorous videos of people and animals. The show was hosted and narrated by Justin Lee Collins. It is Sky1's rival to You've Been Framed!.... (2009) (Sky1) The Justin Lee Collins Show The Justin Lee Collins Show is a British television talk show recently aired Thursday nights on the digital channel ITV2 starring Justin Lee Collins. Justin has a small band on the show and a continuing theme is to mention Labi Siffre as part of a joke. The series ended after one series after... (2009) (ITV2) Justin Lee Collins: Good Times Justin Lee Collins: Good Times is British comedy chat show hosted by comedian Justin Lee Collins.The format is a weekly chat show that consists of a mixture of celebrity guests, comic stunts and musical performances.-Episodes:... (2010) (Five) Justin Lee Collins: Turning Japanese Justin Lee Collins: Turning Japanese is a British Documentary on channel five in the United Kingdom, it features Justin Lee Collins taking a cultural trip to Japan.... (2011) (Channel 5) |
CITV
CITV is a British television channel from ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It broadcasts content from the CITV archive, as well as commissions and acquisitions. CITV itself is the programming block on the main ITV Network .The CITV channel broadcasts from 06:00 to 18:00...
)