Hayes had a 10-year radio partnership with James "Jim-Jim" Nugent, beginning on The Strawberry Alarm Clock on FM104 where the pair established themselves as the number one breakfast show in Dublin.
Following the pirate stations ultimate closure by regulators, he worked at the state broadcaster 2FM on the late night shifts.
Following the addition of Nugent to The Strawberry Alarm Clock in 2000, the show would prosper with the pair dominating the timeslot in Dublin and winning several awards.
The pair did, however, enjoy a television debut with Colm and Jim-Jim's Home Run which was picked up for international distribution.
[12] Jim-Jim, paid less than half this figure before he departed RTÉ, was reported to have been "shocked" to learn of this, describing it as a "mystery", a "betrayal" and suggesting that "RTE is run like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory".
[15] It was announced in December 2016 he would spend three weeks covering for John Clarke on Radio Nova 100 that month.
[16] Colm Hayes officially joined Radio Nova 100FM (Ireland) as its Programming Director in June 2017.