Phil Collins’ Shocking Health Reveal From Alcohol to Mobility Issues
Music icon Phil Collins has opened up about his health troubles on the BBC Eras podcast series. In the interview, he admitted that he’s living with round-the-clock care, has dealt with multiple surgeries, and much more.
The interview was covered by many outlets, including People Magazine, which reported that he has a 24-hour live-in nurse to help manage medication and that his knee troubles have left him needing assistance to walk.
Collins also described how he got COVID while in the hospital and that his kidneys started to back up, with several issues hitting him all at once.
As a child of the 80s, I grew up with Collins’ songs being everywhere, from Genesis to his solo stuff. He has made some legendary tracks. The candid interview no doubt hits hard for many of his fans, but it’s also a showcase for not giving up.
Collins works toward mobility
In the interview, Collins says he has had five knee operations and that only one knee works. The icon needs to use crutches and other supports to get around.
In another candid aspect of the interview, Collins admits that alcohol played a role in his health problems. Consequence reported that Collins said he’d probably been drinking too much, that his kidneys were messed up, and that he spent months in the hospital after it all caught up to him.
According to People Magazine, Collins has been two years sober now and is trying to steady his life day by day, while not pretending the last few years have not been brutal.
Back to performing
Entertainment Weekly reported that health complications tie back to a spinal injury in 2007. This caused lasting nerve damage and impacted Collins’ ability to perform.
During the Genesis farewell run, due to nerve damage, Collins’ son handled drums. This is particularly important, as the Tribune Content Agency reported that Collins described the drum kit as a security blanket, something between him and the crowd.
Effectively, his nerve damage has not just impacted him physically, but on a deep personal and mental level, too.
Despite all the health problems, Rolling Stone reported that Collins has described himself as mobile and healthy. The icon has even hinted he might still have a fiddle about in the studio if his strength holds. A positive outcome to a long health fight.
For fans who want to watch the interview and not listen to the podcast series, the BBC is airing a TV special, Phil Collins Eras: In Conversation, around January 31, 2026. This is tied to the star’s 75th birthday (January 30).
For people struggling with health issues, the message is simple: keep fighting.
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