Phil Collins has shared a candid health update in a new interview with Zoe Ball for BBC Two as part of the five-part series Phil Collins Eras In Conversation. Speaking openly, Collins discussed a series of medical challenges that followed Genesis’ final tour, including multiple knee surgeries and kidney issues connected to alcohol use.
“It’s an ongoing thing,” Collins said. “I’ve had challenges with my knee. I had everything that could go wrong with me did go wrong with me.” He explained that he underwent five knee operations and now walks with assistance, adding that he has a live-in nurse to help manage medication and daily care. Collins also shared that complications intensified during hospital stays, where several health issues surfaced at once.
Collins spoke directly about his relationship with alcohol and its impact on his health, saying, “I’d probably been drinking too much, and so my kidneys were messed up.” He noted that he recently marked two years of sobriety, describing a period where recovery required extended time in hospital. The remarks provide clear context for his decision to step away from touring and recording in recent years.
Although Collins has previously said he had little inclination to return to the studio, he left the door slightly open when pressed during the interview. “I’ve got some things that are half formed or were never finished,” he said. Even in reflection rather than performance, Collins’ voice still carries the weight of a songwriter whose instincts helped define modern pop and rock songwriting for decades.