English musician Phil Collins has addressed his past family rift with his daughter, actress Lily Collins. During an interview on Piers Morgan’s Uncensored, he revealed that the two fully reconciled after a severe health crisis brought their family closer together.
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Verify & Continue ReadingThe tension between the father and daughter originated from Lily’s 2017 memoir, Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me. In the book, the Emily in Paris star published an open letter addressing her father’s absence during her childhood. She wrote that she forgave the Genesis star for not always being there when she needed him and for “not being the dad I expected.”
Reflecting on the publication during his recent interview, the 75-year-old legendary drummer acknowledged his past personal mistakes, including his treatment of Lily’s mother, Jill Tavelman. However, he maintained that he always tried his best to be present for his children.
“She wishes she hadn’t written it because she thought it was hurtful,” Phil Collins told Piers Morgan. “I’m not saying it isn’t hurtful. I know what I did or what I shouldn’t have done. I treated her mum badly. I tried to always be there for her.”
The relationship dynamic shifted significantly following a health scare in 2024. Phil spent seven months in intensive care after a prolonged battle with alcoholism left him with permanent damage to his pancreas and kidneys. At one point during his hospitalization, his manager, Tony Smith, gathered his five children in Switzerland because his condition had deteriorated to a critical state on dialysis.
Although Phil barely remembers that specific period due to heavy medication, the brush with death acted as a sobering wakeup call and prompted a major family reunion. Last Christmas, Phil arranged a four-day gathering for all of his children at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Knightsbridge, London. He noted that he wanted to bring everyone together because he understood how limited his remaining years might be.
During the festive gathering, emotions ran high, particularly for Lily. She welcomed her first daughter, Tove, via surrogacy with her husband, film director Charlie McDowell, in January 2025. Phil shared that Lily broke down in tears during the family reunion, overwhelmed by the realization that her father had survived his health crisis and would be present in her child’s life.
“It was moving, that was obvious,” Phil recalled. “Lily, for example, just burst into tears, because she now has a child and she said, ‘I never thought that my child would get to know her grandfather’… It was very touching, very moving.”
Today, the family maintains an active group chat where they share daily updates, football scores, and support one another, marking a new chapter of unity for the Collins family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the rift between Phil Collins and Lily Collins?
The rift stemmed from an open letter published in Lily Collins’s 2017 memoir, Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me, where she criticized her father for his absence during her childhood and for not being the parent she had expected.
How did Phil Collins and Lily Collins reconcile?
The father and daughter reconciled following Phil’s severe health crisis in 2024, when he spent months in intensive care battling alcohol-related organ failure. The near-death experience prompted the family to reunite for an extended holiday gathering in London, bringing them closer together.
What did Lily Collins say about her father in her book?
In her book, Lily wrote an open letter stating, “I forgive you for not always being there when I needed and for not being the dad I expected. I forgive the mistakes you made.” Phil Collins recently revealed that Lily now regrets writing the letter because she feels it was hurtful.
Does Phil Collins have a relationship with his granddaughter?
Yes. Lily Collins and her husband, Charlie McDowell, welcomed their daughter Tove in January 2025. Lily frequently introduces her baby to Phil’s iconic music, affectionately referring to him as “Grandpa P.”
What health issues has Phil Collins faced?
Phil Collins has battled alcohol-related health issues, including pancreatitis and kidney failure that required dialysis during a lengthy hospital stay in 2024. He also lives with type 2 diabetes and deals with mobility challenges resulting from previous back and knee surgeries.
