Marcus Collins

Marcus Collins (born 15 July 1988) is an English singer-songwriter who finished as the runner-up of the eighth series of The X Factor in 2011. Collins finished second to girlband Little Mix. Whilst on The X Factor, he was mentored by Take That frontman Gary Barlow, who has continued to work with Collins since.

Prior to his solo audition in 2011, Collins was a member of five-piece boyband Eton Road, who rose to fame on the third series of The X Factor. Collins did not appear on The X Factor that year, but joined the band after original member Anthony Hannah decided to quit the band following their exit from the show. Collins remained within Eton Road for ten months, before departing to pursue a solo career. After leaving Eton Road, however, Collins chose to become a hairdresser in his home town of Liverpool. He has openly claimed that leaving the hairdressing business was one of his greatest regrets but stands by his actions