Phil Collins, 75, has revealed that his children were called to his bedside to say their final goodbyes two years ago when a severe battle with alcohol left him near death. The singer was hospitalized in Switzerland in April 2024, unconscious and with failing kidneys and organs, leading his manager to summon his five children for critical decisions about his care.

Collins, who has a history of health issues including type 2 diabetes and nerve damage, recounted the experience in an interview with The Sunday Times Magazine. "Because there were some decisions to be made about 'Do we keep Phil on life support?' kind of thing," he stated. "My kidneys were packing up, my organs were just seizing up. People were coming to say goodbye..."

He admitted to not being aware of the severity of his condition at the time, saying, "I don't remember them coming, I didn't have no idea this was going on. They were all worried that they wouldn't see me again. It could have gone terribly wrong."

The musician detailed his past drinking habits, admitting to consuming wine upon waking. "I'd have wine I woke up. That was what I wanted for breakfast, a glass of wine... But I didn't drink into the night you know. So I wasn't really aware of having a problem to be honest."

Despite his recovery, Collins continues to manage other health challenges. He requires crutches to walk due to multiple surgeries on his spine and knees. He recently celebrated the New Year in 2026 surrounded by family in London. Reflecting on a moment with his daughter, actress Lily Collins, he shared, "She was sitting beside me in tears, saying, 'I never thought I'd get these moments.' We had an incredible time. I can't overemphasise how fantastic it was."

Collins expressed a desire for a new relationship but believes it may be too late. "I'd love to be in love again. I would love a relationship. Kissing somebody, for example. You know, pretty basic stuff. I think it's probably too late for that. I'm not a very social person. I don't, you know, I don't go out."

He also touched upon his past relationship with Orianne Cevey, his third wife. They had divorced in 2008 but reconciled a decade later, only for Collins to discover in 2020 that Cevey had secretly married another man while they were still living together. Though Cevey is no longer with Thomas Bates, Collins indicated that while he remains in contact with her as co-parent to their sons, Nic and Matthew, pursuing a romantic reconciliation would not be advisable. "Well, I'd like it to be," he mused when asked about the possibility of more between them, "But I don't think it's a good idea right now. Just because I know what I'm like. I would probably fall again."