Adam Collins

Sally Cartwright I went to primary school with Adam. I took this photograph of him on a school trip to the zoo, though I can't quite remember where and I'm making a bit of a guess at the year. Those primary school days were so fun and idyllic and I remember Adam as a kind and funny friend, always happy and smiling. I'm so sorry to learn of his passing and hope this page of memories brings comfort to all who knew and loved him.xx

Kell Whitehouse I met Ad when I was 14, he was my first "real" best friend, he brought me out of shell and helped form the person I am today. I have so many amazing memories but not so many photos 😔 Ad was such a massive part of mine and my families life for such a long time. Things I remember most about Ad was his love for tea, his love and passion for music, our shared love of cardigans (he was as upset as me when I told him my mom had thrown out my "kurt cardy"), his ability to make me smile even when I didn't have anything to smile about, his kindness and generosity and his wonderful unique unfiltered sense of humour. I remember you would call when you were leaving your house so I could put a cuppa on and then I'd meet you at the bottom of my road and we'd take our tea and go chill in the woods, the looks we got walking around with mugs of hot tea! You were a most welcome and loved addition to my life and to our family. I love and miss you Ad, my heart will be missing a piece until we meet again xxxx

Plumpton Lucy From mad house parties to quiet nights watching films. I remember all those trips to the cinema on a Tuesday night when we were making the most out of our unlimited Cineworld cards - we watched some crackers and some absolute cr*p but it was always something I looked forward to. There are a few memories that instantly come to mind when I hear your name and one of them is when you and some friends came to my house warming party with pizza and swapped it for Jenn's day old pasta bake. Don't ask why it stuck with me all these years but it did. The image I hold of you will always be you in a smart or leather coat with your scarf fully pulled up and wrapped around your neck - I never knew anyone else wear their scarf so tightly, wearing a smile on your face. Oh and I certainly won't forget all of those funky shirts! You were always so kind to me and when I looked to you in a time of need you offered support, humour and great advice - wise beyond your years I would say. Although in the last few years we had dropped contact, you never failed to wish me a happy birthday and, more recently, congratulate me on my pregnancy - which I truly appreciated. You will be so dearly missed Adam. I will be thinking of your family for a long while to come. Thanks for the lifts, laughs and good times. The world was a better place with you in it! ❤️

Scott Brindley I first met Adam in 2011, he was in the year below me at Bolton. Over the years we became friends, playing football together and enjoying many a night in the Sweet Green Tavern, home to the best jukebox in Bolton. I really admired him for returning to education and following his dreams of working in film. His infectious passion for life meant that everyone who met him loved him and his talent was clear to see. We worked together at DNeg from 2014 to 2016, we spent too many Fridays in the Masons with the gang and also a few weeknights in the Smugglers Tavern having a cheeky pint before catching the Victoria Line together. I have very fond memories of Adam impersonating my accent and by the time I left London he had it nailed pretty well. Morning coffees at work haven’t ever quite been the same. We kept in touch after I left the VFX industry and I was so happy that he was getting the opportunities he worked so hard for and deserved. His story is part of what has inspired me to switch careers and follow a new path. Adam was a kind, funny, caring man and I feel lucky to have known him for so long. I’ll deeply miss you Adam.

Megan McLean I first met Adam in our first year at University. We spent almost every day of the week working away on our projects and we always ended up at the pub with the "Friday Club" when he'd always crack jokes and make everyone laugh, which make some of my favourite memories of Uni. I remember when we were in Prague where he had everyone crying laughing at his terrible go at an Irish accent, which still makes me chuckle when I think of it. I think everyone knows Adam was a very relaxed and calming person. During deadline time he’d always be reassuring me, “It’s cool man, don’t worry”, whenever I started to get a bit stressed out. In fact the only time I remember him getting even mildly irritated was over a kettle and his process for making tea getting disrupted. He was so generous and supportive, helping me get started in London when I got my first job which I’ll be forever grateful for, I’m not sure I would have stuck it out without him there at the beginning. I feel very lucky to have known Adam as my amigo and shared my university days with him. He brought so much joy to so many people and I'm going to miss him a lot.

Becky Feltham The first time I met Adam properly (outside of messy Beer & Pizza nights at Dneg) was at a party we'd hosted at our flat maybe 8 years ago. I cooked a breakfast the next morning for whoever had stayed the night. Adam was so chuffed to be cooked breakfast he just kept telling me over and over! Adam was totally laid back, no drama and very easy company. If there was opportunity for a pub trip, he'd be first there and last out, and happily chat away all night about everything and nothing, casually throwing the C-bomb about and making everyone laugh with his totally irreverant humour. We're really going to miss you mate. The pubs of London won't be the same without you. I'm really glad I got the chance to know you. Becky xx

George Pepper Adam and I where roommates when we studied together at bolton. He was a amazing friend and I had may good times hanging out with him. It was always a pleaser to have a beer with him and talk about movies. I had a panic attack one night and he helped carmed me down and turned a bad night into a good one. He had a very calming presence. He was a good man and I will miss him dearly.

Sophie Coubrough I’ve just heard the news and wanted to send my condolences to Adam’s family. We went to uni together and I remember Adam as a talented and genuine person who was loved by everyone. I hope your life was filled with joy post uni Adam and you’re happy wherever you are now, here’s us throwing our caps 💛

Cassie Maccormack I met Adam when i had just started at Dneg back in 2015. He was a charming and funny guy who was just the life of beer and pizza, after i met him i just knew he would be in my life for good. He was such a welcoming person who would befriend anyone and make them feel right at home. I feel so lucky to have had 8 of friendship with him, i don't think i will ever meet anyone who has the wit and humour that he possessed. I have so many happy memories of him, and it's so wonderful to be able to reminisce all the fun we had. It breaks my heart he has been taken so soon in life. I miss you Amigo!

Stewart Foster Ad helping celebrate my stag do in the Budapest sunshine . Ad was always a great brother in law but an even better friend. I miss him everyday.

Jimmy Rogers Summer of 2016. We had a VFX football league and I think this photo sums up our experience well; all the gear, no idea! Adam and I met at university in 2011, were quick to become friends and then before I knew it, we became part of each other's daily lives all the way up to 2019 and even when I moved to the other side of the world I knew I had a friendship with him that would always be there. I remember being in the runners kitchen, eating the biscuits, drinking coffee and doing our best to hide. Going to see Deftones and immediately losing each other in the pit only to reunite 3 hours later totally soaked in sweat then walk five miles back to your house. Our daily second breakfast in the office kitchen, watching the people in the lifts and making up elaborate stories of what they might be up to. Going to the gym every lunch time, lifting weights way too heavy and constantly saying to each other ‘Your back isn’t straight!’ Being so generous with your time and chatting over the phone for hours despite being 11 hours apart. Seeing you in April and talking of planning a holiday together. These and all memories I have of him will stay with me forever. I am lucky to have known Adam and to have called him my friend and any opportunity I am given I will tell people of Adam and the amazing man he was. Adam, you will always be in my thoughts. Until we meet again.

Becky Feltham Some very happy trips to Portugal, visiting our friend Cat's homeland. Chilling on the beach in Cascais, celebrating the festival of St Antonio with Super Bock beers for a Euro and barbecues in the street, and hanging out at Cat's family home by the pool with her sister's impressive gaming collection and her Mum's awesome hosting skills. Happy memories.

Huw Whiddon I have lots of memories of Adam, each one lovely and filled with happiness. He was a joy to be around and I'm so proud that I could call him a friend, A Standout memory of mine is when we went on probably the best summer holiday I have ever experienced. A group of us travelled to Lisbon for the Saints Festival, perfect sun, friends, food and drink. As the festival day went on, more and more people filled the streets to the point it became a river of people. we got increasingly drunk and full of food wandering around the beautiful city as night set in. At one point me and Eva got separated from the group and panic set in, A long (what felt like) 5/10 minutes passed as we stood still wondering what we should do, we're lost! Out of the crowd this familiar face with a beaming smile appeared saying "alright C*nts?" as he led us back to our flock! what a hero! These holidays we had with Adam are precious memories, Lisbon, Belgium, Sweden, Budapest! Each one filled with laughs, games, drink, food and a general celebration of all the best things life offers. I can't put into words about how deeply I'll miss Adam, but I will always be able to hop into my memory to soak up some sun with him. xxx Huw + Eva (a shared memory) xx

Steve Feltham I've known Adam for 8 years and in all that time I can't find a decent picture of the two of us where he isn't sticking his tongue out! So this picture of us standing with a beer in Portugal trying to look cooler than we are will have to do. I've not spent more time in a pub with anyone more than Adam. Before Covid we'd be in one of several pubs around the office for at least two evenings a week. My wife would ask me about him, how's his family, love life and all sorts of things most close friends talk about. To all of these questions I would shrug and say 'Err...I'm not really sure." We easily spent 6 hours a week talking about movies, games and TV as well as putting the world to rights. I don't think either of us would have had it any other way! Adam was a genuine, laid back and caring man. There was never any drama or bad feelings, I can't recall a time we ever came close to an argument in over 8 years. There's a lot I'd give for just one more pint, pretty sure I owe him a beer anyway! I'll miss you terribly buddy, here's to you 🍻

Jess Walters I have been friends with Ad for more than 20 years. My memories of him are very happy ones, silly, often crazy ones and lately some really sad ones. As the years of our friendship went on we became like family. Growing up in Walsall, back then he was decorating, he must for papered my mum’s whole house…twice! Then eventually all ending up in London together. Each of us starting new careers, Ad, so inspiringly having changed his life and pursued his passion for film. I apologise for the so obviously squiffy faces in this picture. We are in the pub garden at the Prince George in Hackney. The four of us in this picture lived in each other’s pockets for a time. Friday nights in the pub, Thursday nights in the pub, Wednesday nights…. Movies, gigs, moving houses, birthdays, Christmas’s. We even spent this past New year together, for which I’m so grateful. When Ad first found out he was ill we had a very frank conversation, talking about how he felt. He said it wasn’t him that he was worried about, it was everyone he was leaving behind. His family. He was especially sad about missing out on his niece growing up. He said he wanted to be her cool uncle in London and be able to show her around as she got older. I can’t believe how strong he has been over the last few months I am totally humbled by his bravery. There has been so much sadness since he became poorly but like everyone who knew him, I will always remember him for so many happy reasons and just will miss him so, so deeply. I want to send my love to his family and want to say to them what a completely awesome human he was. ( he would laugh at me for saying that). So much love Ad x

Becky Feltham A trip to Bruges, the home of Hannes! Multiple belgian beers and wanderings in the countryside, plus a guided tour of the city by Father Sap!

Becky Feltham Another trip, this time to our friend Tess' home town near Gothenberg in Sweden. A great memory of Adam on this trip was his choice to go skiing in jeans. Got sopping wet and cold, and ended up dying both the snow and his knees blue!

Benita Collins Thanks for setting this page up Grace - it’s such a beautiful way to bring together all these memories of Adam. Adam is my brother-in-law. Although we live in Australia and didn’t get to see him very often I will treasure the time spent with him. He was very welcoming from the moment I met him, so easy to get along with, and very funny. Our kids loved being able to spend time with Uncle Adam - he always had energy to play and have a laugh. We all stayed in Wales to celebrate Grace’s 30th in June 2019, we were very glad to have made the trip and spent this time together before covid restricted travel. Adam, we love you and will miss you being a part of our lives. We talk about you all the time and continue to share memories of you in our family. Sending condolences to all who knew and loved him ❤️

Becky Feltham Our wedding which Adam attended - he scrubbed up well! Followed by getting totally trashed (like the groom :D) The group photo is our London group, all brought together through Dneg. We were all so lucky to have such a close group of friends.

Becky Feltham A trip to Budapest with the Dneg bunch. Spas and ruined bars!

Adam Jackson Throughout uni and Dneg I always looked up to Adam as a figure who was helpful and driven, but in a way that completely transcended the cr*p that most people get wrapped up in. Inspite of our 5 a side footy, uni trips away, wrap parties and years of working and drinking in the same places, I barely got a good photo with him. So here's one I took, a happy memory from our visit back to guest lecture in Bolton. You can see our joy at the fact that this place served chips, rice and noodles with 2 types of gravy. Irn Bru or request of Mal. Sharing the news and heartbreak with many other uni folks really showed how much of an impact he had even for those of us who hadn't seen him in a while. It was always a joy in bumping into him at the Dneg cafe, Fish Bone chippy, The Tower Tavern, or any other Fitzrovia staple. I think I'll always keep an eye out when wandering round there.

Grace Foster Merry Christmas Adam, we miss you endlessly. It’s just not the same without you asking for present ideas for the folks in the run up to Christmas (had to be anything he could get off Amazon), introducing us to a new Christmas game and keeping Stew company at the family events. We will cherish those Christmas’s so much xxx

Nicholas Cruz We’d go climbing in the Castle. Adam would gas me up, and I’d do the same. Every time we’d meet up as a group, Adam was always there. He knew how to bring some fun, laughs and light into the situation. He definitely caught me when I fell, & I also caught him. Literally trusted each other with our life’s, catching that rope if we fell, and didn’t even know each other oh too well. Will sorely be missed. RIP brother🙏🏻

Cassie Maccormack Amigos Assemble! The gang head to Amsterdam just before Covid strikes. We enjoyed the people free city, plenty of good beer and good fun!

Grace Foster Adam meeting his niece Imogen for the first time, he was so excited and a complete natural!

Kaz White I lived with Adam for about 6 years. He was such a laid-back guy, not much rattled him. Witty too. We all lived our separate lives, but the pandemic made us stop and get to know each other better. He was my second lockdown buddy. When we couldn't get back up to the West Midlands to be with our families, we made ourselves Christmas dinner and felt like proper adults. I was fascinated by his work and loved watching him move up the ranks. We used to stop and have a good chat in the kitchen (I'd never seen anyone cook beans into a paste before). He loved London and planned on moving back. He adored his family. They meant the world to him. I just wanted him to have more time to be with them and do the things he wanted. I'm heartbroken. This is how I'll remember him. In a cosy cardigan with a cup of tea in The Simpsons mug.

Grace Foster Adam came home from London to celebrate Imogen's 1st Birthday and got very sun burnt!

Cassie Maccormack Amigos Assemble! Adam and Steve came to visit me in Barcelona, it was filled with sea, sun, sangria! Adam arrived first, I took him to all the sites in Barcelona, with a few beer stops of course! When Steve arrived we ate paella & fried ourselves on the beach. We had great fun watching the Mojito man have a fight with tourists on the beach, its events like this that Adam's wit truly shines! We ate copious amounts of tapas, rowed boats in the park, slept off the sangria under the palm trees, utter bliss. We then topped it off with drinking cocktails off mini trains, hiked up the mountain and rocked out at a Rock & Grill event watching a Kiss & ZZ Top cover bands! The song La Grange will always be known as the Amigos anthem, the song that never ends! I am forever grateful that Adam got to come and see my new life out here in Barcelona and that i got to make memories of him here. He was truly a special, one of kind person who will be missed forever.

Becky Feltham Some sunny days in London: A trip down the canal on Eva & Huw's boat they were living on at the time. Lounging with bevvies in regents park (a regular occurrance in the summer). A BBQ in the garden while Adam was going through treatment.

Mike Hill I met Adam over 8 years ago, running at Double Negative. We immediately got on, becoming swift friends. Many fun adventures were had, within the large group of us as well as a few excursions with just me an Adam. Adam had the remarkable talent for summoning the troops to go to the local pub, the Masons Arms. I would receive a one word message : “Pub” and knew the deal. Those were some of the best nights of my life, sitting around a table in a crowded pub; surrounded by friends and just shooting the breeze. In the picture, the last time myself and Kasey my fiancé saw Adam when we visited for Christmas 2021. A large group of us had a Sunday roast and then drank the day away ( I set my record for most pints, doubt I’ll ever beat it. Glad it was with him). I’m going to miss Adam more than words could ever explain. I think of all the events of my life that he won’t be present for and it breaks my heart. I am thankful that he is no longer in pain, that he spent his final months with his family and that he is now at peace in a better place. 🍻 Cheers to you Adam

Grace Foster Before Covid my husband and I would come to London for our wedding anniversary and always meet up with Adam. One year we had brunch and the second year he arranged a Sunday lunch in Covent Garden. We all agreed it was one of the best meals we ever had and in his final weeks we spoke about this meal often (I will make sure I have it again for you Adam!) During his treatment I came to visit Adam a few times and see his apartment, we never realised he lived in such a lovely area and he took great pride in showing us around. It was warm, we had ice creams and leisurely walked around talking about this and that. A fox followed us most the way and we sat on a bench for some time watching him popping in and out the bushes, I remember thinking I really needed to take in this simple moment as one day it would mean the world to me. I only hoped it wouldn’t be so soon Adam. X