Wilkins was born in New Zealand on 19 June 1954, where he graduated from teachers' college, majoring in English and music.

He left the music industry to work behind the scenes as Promotions and Marketing Manager for Sydney radio stations 2Day FM and 2UW.

Along with Joy Smithers and Alison Drower, Wilkins was the original host of MTV Australia when it launched on Nine in 1987.

Wilkins has been the Nine's Network's Entertainment editor and presented daily features and interviews in showbusiness from around the world.

[2][3] In September 2011, he released his autobiography Black Ties, Red Carpets, Green Rooms, co-written with Carrie Hutchinson.

In the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours List, Wilkins was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), for "significant service to the community through a range of charities, and to the entertainment industry".

[7] Wilkins has won two Australian Commercial Radio Awards for Best Music Special: for John Farnham and Michael Buble.