Phil Collins: A remarkable interview in the Sunday Times

In a feature in the Sunday Times on 2 August, Phil Collins offered a candid insight into his career, his private life and his alcohol addiction, which nearly killed him.

The article is based on a conversation lasting over three hours that the journalist Decca Aitkenhead had with Phil in Switzerland in June.

Phil was close to death

It begins with an account of a scene from April 2024, when Phil was lying unconscious in hospital after excessive alcohol consumption and his five children were called to his bedside to possibly make a life-or-death decision. Many came at the time to say goodbye to Phil. A year and a half later, he is reunited with his children. This time, to welcome in the year 2026 and have a good time. There is laughter, games and they have had a heart-to-heart. Everyone seems happy.

Phil Collins has, for the time being, overcome his alcoholism – which had flared up again after a supposed period of abstinence and had severely damaged his kidneys and other organs – following the incident in April 2024. As the story unfolds, much of the focus is on the gap between Phil Collins' public image and his self-image. Phil is trying to dispel his image as a careerist. Instead, he claims to be a loyal servant of rock music who simply did his job. He says he was never after fame.

The book describes how Phil was downright obsessed with reading – and even correcting – reports about himself, whilst other public figures tend to put up a 'firewall' and don't let what is written or broadcast about them get to them. The Live Aid episode involving Led Zeppelin is cited as an example. The fact that he is still blamed for the debacle in some YouTube videos weighs heavily on him.

His marriages and his children

His private life and his failed marriages are also discussed at length. Particularly striking is the scene in which his third wife, Orianne – with whom he had moved back in after their first separation – reveals to him that she has secretly married another man in Las Vegas. Phil seems to find it very difficult to talk about this, and it is suggested that his feelings for Orianne have still not completely cooled ("I would probably fall again").

He has since made peace with his children. In particular, he now has a very good relationship again with Lily, who had accused her father in an open letter. Phil hints that he longs for a new love. It is the first time in his life that he has been single. But as he hardly ever goes out, he believes the opportunity has passed him by. He also wishes he could still play the drums, as that has been his life since he was three years old.

Everyday life today and looking ahead

His current daily routine is also described. He is still surrounded by care staff round the clock. He gets up at 10 or 11 in the morning, walks through the house six times with a carer, and spends the rest of the day watching a lot of television and YouTube. And he has developed an obsession with videos about serial killers ("I know more about serial killers than I do about music now").

Towards the end, the article describes how Phil is slowly finding his way back into the public eye. His forthcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is mentioned. He has been in touch with Paul McCartney regarding an upcoming charity auction. Following some friction over a 2016 interview, the two have reconciled, which seems to be very important to Phil given the significance of the Beatles in his life.

The piece concludes by describing how, after the interview ended, the journalist met one of Phil's carers. Both seem genuinely impressed by his progress over the last few months; there is talk of a miracle. And: the interview was his idea. You can find the full feature in the Sunday Times online at this link (paywall).

Further recent interviews

Phil Collins has been on the road a lot recently and has given many interviews to mark the re-release of his album Face Value, including the Sodajerker podcast, which we have translated into German and prepared in full for you. He has also given an in-depth interview to MOJO in the current issue (September 2026, Phil Collins fights back) as well as to PROG magazine in issue 172.

He was also a guest on BBC 2 Radio as part of the Tracks of my Years series. There is also footage available; the entire programme can be viewed as a video on YouTube: