Collins started his career as a music Journalist, writing for the NME, Vox, Select and Q (where was Editor, 1995–97). He also wrote for and edited film magazine Empire in 1995. He formed a double-act with fellow music Journalist Stuart Maconie, presenting the Sony Award-winning BBC Radio 1 show Collins and Maconie's Hit Parade, after forging their style on a daily comedy strand on Mark Goodier's BBC Radio 1 drivetime show, and Collins & Maconie's Movie Club on ITV.