Phil Collins has shared a rare health update in a BBC interview, confirming he has no plans to return to live performance. The former Genesis frontman, 74, has lived a relatively quiet life following a string of health issues that led him to retire from his music career. He has undergone five knee operations and experienced kidney-related complications.
During Friday's (May 22) edition of BBC Breakfast, presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt revealed that the iconic musician had spoken with one of their reporters about his wellbeing and what lies ahead, four years after stepping back from touring.
The artist, who has achieved sales exceeding 100 million records globally, appeared in a previously filmed conversation with culture correspondent Charlotte Gallagher. Speaking frankly to Charlotte, he discussed his knee problems while disclosing that he is "healthier than he has been in a while."
He said: "The last 18 months have been fine, but before that, not so good. Everything health-wise caught up to me at the same time. Whatever could go wrong did go wrong, but everything is fine now."
The legendary musician continued: "I had a problem with my knee, which I had for a while, but I played through it - toured through it. But eventually, I had to have a knee operation, and I had to have five - five times because it kept either getting infected or it broke, so I was inactive for a long time."
Phil's career in music kicked off in 1970 when he became Genesis's drummer. Alongside his work with the group, he launched a solo career during the 1980s, achieving chart success with tracks such as Against All Odds and Two Hearts.
While acknowledging he's feeling better, Phil conceded he has no plans to return to the stage, although he has been working on some new material that might see the light of day should he decide on a surprise return.
He said: "I can't really see it (performing) happening, but I'm healthier now than I have been for quite a while. I mean, this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - they asked if I would perform and I said no because you know, you've got to be match fit to do something like that."
Phil continued: "You can't just go on stage, you've got to rehearse, and then by that point, if you've not been singing, your voice is going to be shot, and then that's not going to be good, so I'd rather not do it. But whether I would go out again... I would contemplate. I'm constantly saying to myself, 'I've got to go back down into my studio at home.'"
The singer added: "I've got lots of lyrical ideas that I write down, and there are things that are half-formed and a couple of things that are finished. So there's something that I can get my teeth into to start working on."
BBC Breakfast is broadcast every morning at 6am on BBC One.
