Highlights
- Phil Collins has been dealing with serious health problems for over a decade, including spinal deterioration, nerve damage, and acute pancreatitis.
- Despite his health issues, Collins continued to perform with his band Genesis for their final tour, but it is unlikely he will ever appear in concert again.
- Collins' daughter Lily has patched things up with him and regularly posts heartfelt messages on social media, expressing her love and gratitude for her dad.
Phil Collins worried his fans in 2021 when he revealed that he had been suffering from serious health problems. At one point, he said he could "barely hold a stick" and "was very close to dying."
Despite the alarming decline in his health, he kept performing with his band Genesis for their final tour, The Last Domino. The In the Air Tonight hitmaker has been open about his many health issues. But in more recent years, the musician's daughter Lily Collins posted a heartfelt birthday message for him, making fans wonder how he really is these days.
Updated September 2023: Given the seriousness of Phil Collins' spinal deterioration, he is now enjoying his days at home, finally retired from touring. While Collins loved to perform on the stage for his fans, there is little to no chance that Collins will ever appear in concert again.
During his last concert, which concluded in March 2022, his son Nic joined him on stage to play the drums. While Collins was known for his excellent drum playing skills, his health issues had not allowed Collins to play them in concert for quite some time. As such, he had others fill in while on tour and one of those people included Nic.
While things were rocky for a time with one of Collins' other children, Lily Collins, the two have since patched things up. So much so that Lily posts tributes to Collins on social media for his birthdays, holidays, and more.
What Is Phil Collins' Illness?
Collins has been dealing with health issues for over a decade now. It started in 2009 when he injured the vertebrae in his upper neck. He got it during a performance, leaving him with crippling nerve damage. At that time, a statement was released about how badly it had affected the drummer's hand function.
"Somehow, during the last Genesis tour, I dislocated some vertebrae in my upper neck and that affected my hands," Collins explained. "After a successful operation on my neck, my hands still can't function normally. Maybe in a year or so it will change, but for now it is impossible for me to play drums or piano."
It was a difficult time for the musician. He confessed in 2010 that he had considered taking his own life.
"I wouldn't blow my head off," he said. "I'd overdose or do something that didn’t hurt. But I wouldn't do that to the children."
In his 2016 autobiography Not Dead Yet, the Sussudio singer also opened up about his previous struggle with alcohol addiction. It started after his retirement and divorce from his third wife, Orianne Cevey. They were married for 9 years. At the time of the book's release, Collins was already sober for three years.
The next year, he revealed that he was a type 2 diabetic and had been receiving treatment with a hyperbaric chamber following an infected diabetic abscess on his foot. Collins also had to cancel two shows in 2017 following an accident in his hotel room. He had hit his head on a chair after slipping during the night. He had to get stitches for a deep cut close to his eye. Apparently, it was caused by a "foot drop" condition that he acquired from his back surgery. Since then, he started using a cane and has been wearing orthopedic shoes.
Around the same time, Collins was also battling acute pancreatitis or fast inflammation and swelling of the pancreas.
"Within months you're drinking vodka from the fridge in the morning and falling over in front of the kids, you know," Collins said. "But it was something I lived through, and I was lucky to live through it and get through it. I was very close to dying."
Against all odds, he still went on to complete his 2019 tour, Still Not Dead Yet, Live! Indeed, he wasn't — keeping the show running while sitting on a chair and holding onto his cane.
Phil Collins Performed Onstage Until Recently
Determined to make his fans happy, Collins was still touring with his band in 2022. It was postponed in 2021 due to COVID-19.
"I'm kind of physically challenged a bit, which is very frustrating because I'd love to be playing up there," Collins explained. "I can barely hold a [drum] stick with this hand, so there are certain physical things which get in the way."
This clearly didn't hold him back, especially since the tour meant so much to him and the band. However, it was clear that touring was coming to an end and in short order.
"I think probably this will be putting it to bed for the last time," Collins stated.
When asked about the inspiration for doing the final tour, Collins said, "When it's good, it's great fun. The audience always seem to come away having enjoyed it. So really it’s a question of going out there and doing what you do with your life. I'm 70 … and I've been in this band since I was 19."
What Lily Collins Has Said About Her Father Phil Collins' Health
The Emily in Paris star, who always has great responses when it comes to haters of the show, recently posted a birthday message for her father's 71st amid his health issues.
"Happy birthday, Dad. I may no longer fit in your arms or sit comfortably on your shoulders but you continue to hug me tightly when I need it most," Lily wrote alongside a photo of her as a baby, sitting on her dad's shoulders. "We may not get to spend time together that often but when we are face to face, you really do see me. You may not always believe it but please trust me when I say, no matter how old I get or what life may bring, I will always need you."
Lily also went on to express his gratitude for having the singer as her dad. "Whether I'm proudly watching you up on stage, laughing at home together playing trivial pursuit, I'm forever grateful for the moments and memories we share," she continued. Especially the ones I now cherish as an adult myself. Thank you for inspiring me and supporting the woman I am today. I love you to the moon and back again…"
The actress also shared another childhood memory during a recent appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden. She once snatched flowers from Princess Diana and threw toy at Prince Charles' head.