Phil Collins issues another emotional health update - 'It's still sinking in'

Phil Collins has admitted that he is still coming to terms with the fact that he will never be able to perform again, following his retirement in 2022

Phil Collins has issued another devastating health update as 2024 draws to a close.

The musician - who has been blighted by health issues - has said that he is still coming to terms with the fact that he will not perform again.

The 73-year-old former Genesis star has long-standing back and neck issues and the drummer and singer decided to retire from live performances after becoming too unwell. Phil is now retelling his career in a new documentary, Phil Collins: Drummer First, which will focus more on his drumming expertise than his singing.

In the documentary, with footage filmed just after he announced his retirement, Phil is emotional as he sits at a drum kit, holding a pair of sticks, as he reveals that it is still sinking in that he will not perform live again.

The frail-looking musician said: "It’s still kinda sinking in a little bit. You know, I’m 71. I’ve spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock."

Phil added afterwards: "I'm not a singer who plays the drums. I'm more of a drummer who sings a bit."

Phil is visibly emotional as he holds drumsticks for the first time in years, after being guided to the kit by his son, Nic, 23, who deputised for his father as Genesis' drummer during their farewell tours.

The pop star said as he prepared to play the drums: "If I wake up one day and I can hold a pair of drumsticks, then I will have a crack at it. I just feel like I've used up my air miles." Phil added: "It’s still kind of sinking in a bit. I've spent all my life playing drums. To be suddenly not be able to do that is a shock. If I can’t do what I did as well as I did it, I’d rather relax and not do anything."

The drummer has suffered with debilitating health issues since sustaining a serious vertebra injury in 2009, during a performance, which has left him with nerve damage. Speaking that year to the Daily Mail, Phil admitted that he would probably not play the drums again. He lamented: "After playing drums for 50 years, I've had to stop. My vertebrae have been crushing my spinal cord because of the position I drum in. It comes from years of playing. I can't even hold the sticks properly without it being painful, I even used to tape the sticks to my hands to get through."

Phil Collins: Drummer First is available to watch on Drumeo's YouTube channel from Wednesday December 18.

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