Features

A few of my favourite things: Marcus Collins

Meryl Streep and Bette Midler feature in the ”X Factor” star’s favourite things

Ben Hewis

16 January 2015

Marcus Collins shot to fame on X Factor in 2011. He is currently appearing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opposite fellow X Factor contestant Lloyd Daniels.

We caught up with Marcus to find out a few of his favourite things.

Update: Marcus Collins has withdrawn from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. More information will be posted on this shortly.

What/who is your favourite…

Film?

My favourite film I think I'd have to say Sister Act 2, it reminds me of music, my youth, smiling & singing "Oh Happy Day" on my own anxiously praying that the neighbours couldn’t hear me experimenting with my range and volume. Relating to the under privileged kids in the film was easy as I really loved to sing and loved to learn.

Place to hangout in London?

I really love the vibe in Shoreditch House its right up my street, fun and games, food and cocktails, what's not to love? If I’m in central London I’m often found with a Pornstar Martini in Balans.

Restaurant?

I adore Randall & Aubin, its a seafood restaurant in central Soho, the tuna is the best around. I just love it there, the staff were so friendly and warm, they always remembered my order and my name and made me feel so welcome. In such a huge city like London, I struggled with the fact that everyone was a stranger, the sense of community has dramatically changed in my day to day life, there was distinct lack of familiarities. Except there, it reminded me of home. The food and the atmosphere of the place always takes me back to my first time moving from Liverpool to London and as soon as I saw the restaurant I knew it was right up my street. Little did I know Bette Midler would soon start blasting out of the sound system. I was in love

Holiday destination?

Barbados. I visited last year and it is my definition of paradise. I am of Bajan descent and have always wanted to meet my family and see where my Nana grew up.

Play/Musical that you have seen?

Kinky Boots, to this day the finest musical I’ve seen. I was lucky to catch it on Broadway last summer and was blown away.

Actor/Actress?

Meryl Streep has never made a bad movie. Period. The woman deserves all of the Oscars, she is a living legend and an icon in my book.

Theatre to Visit

I love the Liverpool Empire Theatre its such a wonderful space. The staff are friendly and helpful, the backstage crew and dressers are a great craic and it's the very place I saw my first ever stage production which was Les Miserables in the 90s.

Theatre You've Performed In

The Royal Albert Hall was an experience. To perform there live with Gary Barlow, his band backing me in front of Royalty was quite special and something I have on my wall at home. I still pinch myself. The acoustics and energy in that space is otherworldly

Song to Sing

"Sweet Love" by Anita Baker, something about the chords and what it does to my soul when I hear that sweet melody I melt, or "Signed Sealed Delivered" as it was my audition song for The X Factor and holds many memories.

Moment in Joseph?