Phil Collins attended the King’s Trust anniversary party on crutches despite a number of health problems.
Phil Collins talks about 24-hour care amid health battle
Legendary Genesis drummer Phil Collins talks about his health challenges, including 24-hour caregiving, knee surgery and battling COVID-19.
Phil Collins has made rare public appearances amid ongoing health issues.
The legendary Genesis drummer, 75, recently stepped out at Buckingham Palace for the 50th anniversary party of King Charles III’s non-profit organization The Kings Trust, which has special meaning for the musician as Collins is a former trustee and its first official ambassador, Collins’ wife Jill wrote on Instagram on Friday, May 15.
Jill Collins shared a photo of her singer husband, Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster on crutches in the Royal Tea Tent, calling it a “truly memorable afternoon”. She wrote that in addition to being happy to see an “old” friend, the couple were “very proud and honored to be there and spend some private time with King Charles, who seemed genuinely happy to meet Phil.”
She added that the couple plans to host an auction of their personal archives in London this autumn to benefit the King’s charities.
The “In the Air Tonight” singer opened up in January about hiring a 24-hour live-in nurse as his medical issues, including complications from a 2007 upper neck spinal cord injury and subsequent nerve damage, are “coming to an end”. He has also had five knee surgeries and has “ruined” his kidneys due to years of heavy drinking and a COVID-19 infection during his hospitalization.
“I think I drank too much. I passed out a few times, but I was never drunk. But it was just one of the things that happened. Everything caught up with me and I spent many months in the hospital,” the British singer said on the BBC podcast series “Eras”. “The last few years have been difficult, interesting, and frustrating. But I’m okay now.”
Contributor: Anthony Robredo, USA TODAY
