Phil Collins has broken his silence on his health struggles and hinted at a possible return to music, telling an interviewer: 'I'm not dead yet.' The 74-year-old singer, who turns 75 on January 30, spoke candidly to Zoe Ball for an exclusive Radio 2 interview to be aired in early February.
Collins revealed that he has been sober for two years after a battle with alcohol that led to severe pancreatitis. He described how his assistant brought in a balloon shaped like the number two to mark the milestone, leaving him initially confused. 'It's been a difficult, interesting, frustrating last two years,' he admitted. His drinking, which he said occurred during the day rather than at night, caught up with him and resulted in a hospital stay where his will was discussed in front of his children.
The musician also detailed a series of health issues, including a spinal injury from the 2007 Genesis tour that caused nerve damage in his hands and legs, forcing him to stop drumming and retire from touring in 2022. He has undergone five knee operations, has type 2 diabetes, and suffers from hearing loss due to a viral infection in 2000. Despite these challenges, Collins said he now has a working knee and can walk with crutches, and he is considering returning to the studio. 'I've got some things that are half formed or were never finished... there's maybe life in the old dog yet. Never say never,' he said.
Collins also spoke about his five children, including actress Lily Collins and drummer Nicholas, who has filled in for him in Genesis. He expressed pride in all of them, saying they are 'amazingly well adjusted' despite the family's ups and downs. Nicholas recalled playing alongside his father, initially nervous but later cherishing the shared moments. Collins described his son's talent as having 'surprised the sh** out of me.'
