After strange media reports that the performer was despondent or investigating paranormal activities, British singer and drummer Phil Collins has spoken up about his retirement on his website to clear up any confusion, reports NME.
The star, who has sold over 100 million records in his career, took to his website to clarify his reasons for retiring in ‘A Message from Phil.’
“Greetings to all, I’ve decided to write this in response to the articles that surfaced last weekend regarding my retirement. Why they were printed at all is a mystery, as I haven’t spoken to anybody in the press for a few months.
“However, many of the articles printed over the last few months have ended up painting a picture of me that is more than a little distorted. Therefore, I would like to add my comments and try to explain again my reasons for calling it a day.
“Some of the things mentioned above have been said by me in various interviews, but said as asides with a smile on my face and in passing…. However, the result is that I have ended up sounding like a tormented weirdo who thinks he was at the Alamo in another life, who feels very sorry for himself, and is retiring hurt because of the bad press over the years….None of this is true.”
After dismissing the more outlandish reports, Collins goes on to explain the real reason for his retirement is so that he can spend more time with his two young children.
“I am stopping so I can be a full time father to my two young sons on a daily basis.” The former Genesis drummer has two sons, Nicholas and Matthew, with his third wife Orianne Cevey. The couple divorced in 2008.
A few months ago, the star did confide to Guy A. Lepage host of the French-Canadian television show Tout le monde en parle about the numbness in the hands, which prevented him from holding drumsticks. Collins did not address any health issues in his website commentary.