Marcus Collins

Marcus Collins may refer to:

Marcus Collins (singer)

Marcus Collins (born 15 May 1988) is an English singer 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.

His debut album, the self-titled Marcus Collins which featured production by the London-based Metrophonic team of Whitney Houston and Cher fame, became his first top 10 UK album which has his single "Mercy". His debut single from the album was "Seven Nation Army", a cover of The White Stripes hit, which also became his first top 10 UK single.

Career

Eton Road

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.

The X Factor (2011)

Marcus Collins (album)

Marcus Collins is the self-titled debut studio album by Marcus Collins, who finished as the runner-up of the eighth series of The X Factor. The album was released in Ireland on 9 March 2012 and on 12 March 2012 in the UK.

Background

For just the third time in the history of The X Factor, a judge continued to work with a contestant after the show; the first time being after Leona Lewis won the show's third series in 2006 and the second being after Jedward finished sixth in the show's sixth series in 2009. Collins' mentor Gary Barlow continued working with him after the final, and in December 2011, offered to join him in the studio to record some material to pitch to a record label. In January 2012, Collins signed a record deal with RCA Records, which would see his debut album be release in March 2012. Barlow subsequently offered to help write, oversee and produce the album. Collins began recording the album on 1 January 2012. The album's tracklisting was unveiled on 11 February 2012. It contains eight original recordings, as well as covers of "Seven Nation Army", "Tightrope" by American singer Janelle Monáe and Collins' version of "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher", a song he performed on The X Factor.