Phil Collins Declares Full Mobility and Health After Challenging Years
Phil Collins has faced significant health challenges over the past few years, yet he recently expressed a renewed sense of vitality and mobility. In a forthcoming interview with Zoe Ball on the podcast BBC Eras, set to release on Monday, Collins discussed his journey through adversity and his current state of health.
Health Struggles and Recovery
Collins, who has remained largely out of the spotlight since the Genesis reunion tour, described the last few years as “difficult” and “frustrating.” He underwent five surgeries on his knees, resulting in a significant impact on his daily life. He said, “I have a 24-hour live-in nurse to make sure I take my medication as I should do.”
- He has dealt with severe nerve damage since the 2007 Genesis reunion tour.
- This damage resulted from injuries that left him unable to play drums or grip objects.
- Collins also suffered from foot drop, an abnormality that affected his ability to walk unaided.
During his recent tours, Collins performed while seated due to his physical limitations. He also acknowledged that he sometimes self-medicated with alcohol to cope with the challenges he faced. “I was never drunk, although I fell over a couple of times,” he revealed.
New Beginnings
Despite these hardships, Collins shared that he has been sober for the past two years. He marked a turning point in his health with vibrant new photos that suggest he is healthier than he has been in years. Collins now confidently claims he is “totally mobile and healthy,” although he still requires assistance, stating, “I can walk, albeit with crutches or whatever.”
Future Aspirations
With his health improving, Collins is contemplating a return to music. He said, “[I’d like to] have a fiddle about and see if there’s more music.” It has been over two decades since he released an album of original songs, the last being 2002’s Testify. His most recent project was the 2010 Motown covers album, Goin’ Back.
Collins did embark on solo tours between 2017 and 2019, accompanied by his son, Nic Collins, on drums, and he participated in the Genesis reunion from 2021 to 2022. Now, with a reinvigorated spirit, he looks forward to what the future holds.
