Galaxy DJ Antony Collins has the world at his feet - but because they are giant size 13s, they can cause a problem or two. MAXINE GORDON gets in step with the big man who wakes up with more than 100,000 people every morning.
AWAY from the radio studio, Antony Collins looks every part the young, trendy media man about town. There's the spiky, just-got-out-of-bed hair; the heavy rimmed specs; the sleeveless vest-top revealing a Celtic-like tattoo on his left arm and the black, slip-on suede shoes. Let's rewind there. Black, slip-on, suede shoes? Has Antony come out in his dad's slippers?
"I hate them," he confesses as we sit in a smart York riverside bar, enjoying a cool drink in the afternoon sun.
"I wear them because they just happen to fit," says the 6ft 4in Canadian who wears size 13s.
And wear them he does, for a good couple of years. They look in remarkable condition for it, I comment.
"I learn to take care of the things I buy," explains Antony, 28. "It could be ages before I find anything else that fits."
Besides shoes, Antony finds it incredibly hard to find tops and suits to fit his larger-than-average frame.
If jackets fit him on the arm, they are too big on the body and vice versa. He tends to wear sleeveless tops just to avoid a similar problem.
Growing up in Canada, he says he had less of a problem finding clothes and shoes to fit. It was only when he moved to Britain to pursue his radio career that he hit this dressing dilemma.
"It can't just be me. Teenagers are getting taller - some tower over me.
"I find it really odd that all the big designer labels don't cater for anybody of over-average size. Tall people want to look good as well."
Antony, who has been presenting Galaxy 105 FM's breakfast show with his lively co-host JoJo for three years, gets a lot of his casual-fashion clothes from H&M for men in Leeds, but finding formal clothes is much harder.
He has one suit, but only because he was allowed to buy the jacket and trousers separately. And it cost him dear: £600. "I've never spent so much on anything in my life," he reveals, still displaying shock at the price tag.
Shoe-hunting is the trickiest business of all and he has even called upon York-based Internet company shoe-shop.com to try to track down some trendy size 13s via the Web.
Of course, there are other drawbacks to being such a big guy.
"Doors aren't made for tall people," Antony begins. "There is never enough leg room on aeroplane and bus seats. When I fly, I always have to sit next to the emergency exit - but it means I have to turn up four hours before the flight to make sure of getting the seat."
And the good things?
"You can always see in a crowd. People notice you. You can reach things. And, of course, tall is the first part of tall, dark and handsome, so at least I have one of the three!"
Understandably, what to wear isn't top priority for Antony when he rises at 4am each morning to prepare for his 6am-9am morning show.
"I try to be stylish but casual at the same time, and I do try to look my best, but the main thing is about staying on your feet!"
Antony began his career in Canada, but moved to England because the radio industry was in a much more vibrant condition than in his homeland.
"There is more commercial radio in Britain, it's absolutely booming and probably will be for the next ten-to-20 years."
And interestingly, adds Antony, the Internet is a help rather than a hindrance to radio's growing popularity.
"Pretty much every radio station is on the Internet. You can listen to Galaxy 105 on your computer and we get emails from all over the world."
Such is the love affair between the old media and the new that email has overtaken post as a means of listeners contacting the station.
"We get hundreds of emails, but perhaps just four or five letters a week," says Antony.
A country boy at heart, Antony lives in Garforth, between York and Leeds, and is planning to marry his fiance Natalie (who is 5ft 7 in case you were wondering) in 2002.
"I'm getting a suit made," reveals Antony. "But I've got two years to find some shoes."
Shoe-shop.com
STRUGGLING to find shoes to fit? This York-based Internet company promises to come to your aid. Launched last March by Stuart Paver, who owns Pavers shoes in Piccadilly, York, the website is now Europe's largest on-line shoe shop. It now boasts one third of the UK market for Internet footwear.
It can find shoes for people up to size 18, and cater for people who require wide or narrow fittings.
There is even a personal shopping service, providing further help in tracking down that elusive pair of shoes.
Delivery is free and if you take out 85p insurance when you order and the shoes are not suitable, the return postage will be paid for too.
For more information, log on to: www.shoe-shop.com.
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