Phil Collins has shared a candid new update on his health, revealing that he is currently under 24-hour care as he continues to manage a series of long-term medical issues that have significantly altered his day-to-day life.
The Genesis frontman spoke openly during a recent interview with BBC’s Eras, where he reflected on the lasting impact of injuries and surgeries that have followed him for nearly two decades. The conversation, released on January 26, offered fans one of Collins’ most detailed assessments yet of how he is coping physically — and emotionally — as he adjusts to life away from the stage.
During the interview, Collins explained that constant medical support is now essential. “I have a 24-hour live-in nurse to make sure I take my medication, as I should do,” he said, describing the level of care required to keep his health stable. While the arrangement may sound severe, Collins was keen to stress that it is a precautionary measure rather than a sign of immediate decline.
The 73-year-old musician has faced a succession of medical setbacks since suffering a spinal injury in 2007, which resulted in severe nerve damage. That injury triggered a condition known as drop-foot, making walking increasingly difficult and affecting his balance and mobility. Over time, these issues were compounded by further complications, including problems with his knees.
“I’ve had challenges with my knee,” Collins admitted. “Everything that could go wrong with me, did go wrong with me.” Despite the setbacks, he noted that he is still able to walk with assistance, relying on “crutches or whatever” when needed.
The update arrives roughly six months after Collins’ representatives confirmed that he had been hospitalised for knee surgery, following a wave of online speculation suggesting the singer was in hospice care. Those rumours were swiftly dismissed at the time, but they highlighted ongoing public concern about the musician’s health, particularly since his final live performances with Genesis in 2022.
For Collins, the physical toll has been deeply personal. Since 2015, he has used a cane to walk and has been unable to stand for long periods — a stark contrast to the energetic drummer who once dominated stages around the world. The reality of no longer being able to play the drums has been one of the hardest adjustments of his career.
In the December 2024 documentary Drummer First, Collins spoke movingly about that loss. “It’s still kind of sinking in,” he said. “I’ve spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock.” The film charted his journey from one of rock’s most recognisable drummers to an artist forced to confront the physical limits of his body.
Despite the challenges, Collins’ latest comments carried a note of cautious optimism. In his BBC interview, he revealed that recent knee surgeries, combined with his decision to embrace sobriety, have left him feeling far stronger than before. He described himself as feeling “totally mobile and healthy,” a phrase likely to reassure fans who have followed his struggles closely.
That renewed sense of stability has also reopened the door to music — at least tentatively. Collins said he hopes to spend some time experimenting in the studio, not with any grand expectations, but simply to see what might still be possible. “I’m hoping to have a fiddle about,” he explained, adding that he wants to “see if there’s more music.”
He tempered expectations, however, with a typically grounded outlook. “You’ve gotta start doing it to see if you can do it,” Collins said, making it clear that any return to recording would happen on his own terms.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 1980s, Collins scored seven No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped shape the sound of an era both as a solo artist and as a member of Genesis. While his performing days may be behind him, his latest update suggests that his creative instincts — and determination — remain very much alive, even as he continues to navigate the realities of long-term care and recovery.
For years now, it has been understood that Phil Collins would not be returning to the drums. The Genesis farewell tour, which saw the legendary musician performing from a chair while his son, Nic, handled percussion duties, marked a poignant farewell to that chapter of his career. But in a recent interview with Mojo magazine, Collins makes it clear that it is not just drumming he has left behind—his days in the recording studio may also be over.
“I keep thinking I should go downstairs to the studio and see what happens. But I’m not hungry for it anymore,” he confesses. Then, after a pause, he adds, “The thing is, I’ve been sick, I mean, very sick…” His voice trails off, leaving the weight of those words hanging in the air.
Collins’ health struggles are well-documented. A spinal injury in 2007 led to severe nerve damage, and after a subsequent back operation, he was left with “drop foot,” making walking a challenge. Further complications arose following a head injury in 2017. It was Nic Collins who took up the drumsticks for Genesis’ final tour, a tour that concluded in 2022, and it was from that vantage point—seated, no longer drumming—that Collins bid farewell to live performance.
Looking back on a storied career with Genesis, Phil Collins has revealed that he doesn’t consider himself the band’s greatest admirer.
The 73-year-old musician opened up in the new documentary Phil Collins: Drummer First, produced by Drumeo. The film revisits Collins’ journey from child prodigy to becoming the iconic drummer and later frontman for Genesis.
“I’m not Genesis’ biggest fan, you know,” Collins admits candidly in the documentary. “There’s stuff that I like, stuff I’m proud of – [but also] stuff that [I’m] less so. Sometimes it can be like people throwing bricks at you.”
While he remains proud of much of the band’s work, Collins acknowledges that the breadth of their discography naturally includes its highs and lows. “I’ve been playing drums since I was 5 – there’s gonna be dogs!” he said. “There’s gonna be stuff you enjoy hearing back, and others not so.”
Despite his personal critiques, Collins is quick to affirm that he enjoyed his time with the band, viewing it as an integral chapter in his life as a musician.
One track that stands out—though not in a good way—is “Down and Out” from the 1978 album ... And Then There Were Three... The record marked a turning point for Genesis following the departure of guitarist Steve Hackett and was a fully collaborative effort between Collins, Mike Rutherford, and Tony Banks.
“So ‘Down and Out,’ … I haven’t heard it in ages; but it’s a period piece,” Collins said of the rhythmically complex song. He admitted it was a challenging track to complete, both technically and creatively, and it remains his least favorite Genesis composition.
As Collins reflects on his career, his honesty about his mixed feelings toward Genesis highlights the complexities of a legacy built over decades. For him, the journey was as much about embracing imperfections as it was about celebrating success.
