Phil Collins’s children were summoned to say their final goodbyes to the singer after he almost drank himself to death two years ago.
The 75-year-old singer admitted things could have gone ‘terribly wrong’ back in April 2024 when he was lying unconscious in a Swiss hospital, prompting his long-term manager to call his five kids to his bedside to make some tough decisions.
He is father to Joely, 53, daughter of his first wife Andrea Bertorelli who he adopted, Simon, 50, with Andrea, Lily Collins, 37, with his second wife Jill Tavelman), and Nic, 25, and Mathew, 21, with his third wife Orianne Cevey.
Phil told The Sunday Times Magazine: ‘Because there were some decisions to be made about ‘Do we keep Phil on life support?’ kind of thing. My kidneys were packing up, my organs were just seizing up. People were coming to say goodbye…
‘But I don’t remember them coming, I didn’t have no idea this was going on. They were all worried that they wouldn’t see me again. It could have gone terribly wrong.’
Shedding light on his battles with alcohol, he detailed how he would drink, saying: ‘I’d have wine I woke up. That was what I wanted for breakfast, a glass of wine…
Phil Collins’ children were summoned to say their final goodbyes to the singer after he almost drank himself to death two years ago
‘But I didn’t drink into the night you know. So I wasn’t really aware of having a problem to be honest.’
Phil recovered, though he has a number of other health issues, including type 2 diabetes and nerve damage in his hands, and needs crutches to walk following multiple surgeries on his spine and knees.
He rang in 2026 surrounded by his family at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in London.
Phil recalled of his daughter, Emily in Paris actress Lily Collins: ‘She was sitting beside me in tears, saying, ‘I never thought I’d get these moments.’ We had an incredible time. I can’t overemphasise how fantastic it was.’
Meanwhile, the In the Air Tonight hitmaker is keen to settle down again but thinks he has left it too late to find another partner.
He admitted: ‘I’d love to be in love again. I would love a relationship. Kissing somebody, for example. You know, pretty basic stuff. I think it’s probably too late for that. I’m not a very social person. I don’t, you know, I don’t go out.’
Phil is pictured with daughters Lily and Joely in 2010. Lily’s mother is Phil’s second wife Jill Tavelman, while Joely is the daughter of his first wife Andrea Bertorelli. He adopted Joely while they were married
In 2020, Phil was devastated when he discovered Orianne – who had divorced him in 2008 after seven years of marriage before they reconciled a decade later – had secretly married another man, Thomas Bates, while they were still living together.
But despite his heartbreak, he suggested he’d be keen to make another go of things with Orianne – who is no longer with Thomas – though he knows it wouldn’t be the best idea.
Explaining they are still in touch as co-parents to sons Nic, 25, and Matthew, 20, Phil said when asked if he’d like there to be more to their relationship.
He mused: ‘Well, I’d like it to be. But I don’t think it’s a good idea right now. Just because I know what I’m like. I would probably fall again.
‘Maybe. I mean, we were very much in love.’
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