Ronan Collins


Ronan Collins is an Irish radio and television presenter. His radio show on RTÉ Radio 1 has been running for many years. He began his national radio career on RTÉ Radio 2, having worked on pirate radio. He presented the celebrity game show Play the Game from 1984 to 1995. He also used to present the Lotto draw and most recently A Little Bit Showband.
Collins has commentated on the Eurovision Song Contest for RTÉ One television. He has been a compere at the heats of the Castlebar Song Contest.
Collins started his show business career as a member of a showband playing drums. He does charity work with children in Ethiopia.
Collins was a presenter as part of RTE's 1992 Barcelona Olympics coverage, shaving off his moustache when Ireland won a medal.

Controversies

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".