Phil Collins, one of the most enduring voices in rock and pop music, has given fans a rare update on his health after several years of serious medical challenges. Speaking in a BBC interview ahead of his 75th birthday, Collins said that he is now “totally mobile and healthy” following what he described as a difficult, frustrating few years.
The musician, now 74, has endured extensive health issues including five knee surgeries, serious complications from a hospital‑acquired COVID‑19 infection, and kidney problems that he partly attributes to past alcohol use. At one point, he required a 24‑hour live‑in nurse to help manage his medication and ongoing treatment.
Despite the setbacks, Collins can now walk again with assistance such as crutches or a cane, and he reports feeling better overall than he has in years. His long road to recovery followed his retirement from touring after Genesis’s farewell tour in 2022. Persistent nerve damage and mobility limits have also put an end to his career as a drummer, something he once called central to his identity.
Though Collins stepped back from performing and creating music for a period, he hasn’t ruled out making new music in the future. He shared that he has ideas and unfinished material he’d like to explore in the studio if his health continues to improve.
Through candid reflection on his struggles, Collins also shared that sobriety — he’s now been off alcohol for over two years — and time with family have been key parts of his recovery. As he nears a milestone birthday, the songwriter behind classics like “In the Air Tonight” appears focused on health, hope, and possibly a creative comeback.