THE APEX TIMES
Phil Collins Says He “Nearly Died” After Years of Alcohol Abuse, Citing Serious Illness
In remarks published this week, the Grammy-winning singer described how heavy drinking left him dangerously ill, saying he was “very lucky.” He also referenced earlier disclosures about type 2 diabetes and related health complications.
Phil Collins said he came close to dying as a result of alcohol abuse, describing a period of serious illness and calling himself “very lucky.” Collins made the comments in a wide-ranging interview that Deadline reports was conducted last year for MOJO magazine, with details about his health and struggles with alcohol now resurfacing in a new write-up published Aug. 2, 2026.
Deadline said Collins told MOJO, “I’ve been sick, I mean very sick,” and linked his condition to the effects of alcohol. In the same account, Collins said he was “very lucky,” framing the episode as one that could have ended in death.
The report also notes that Collins has spoken publicly about other medical issues in recent years. According to Deadline, Collins previously revealed that he suffers from type 2 diabetes and that his alcohol-related health concerns have unfolded alongside diabetes complications.
Collins’s comments come as he remains widely recognized for a career that included multiple Grammy wins and long-term prominence as a recording artist and bandleader. Deadline described him as a “Grammy winner,” placing the remarks in the context of a still-visible public profile even as health has limited his ability to participate in the kinds of touring and appearances that typically accompany releases and anniversaries.
Beyond the personal account, Collins’s remarks highlight how chronic substance abuse can compound long-term health conditions. The reported link between heavy drinking and serious illness underscores the medical risks associated with alcohol misuse, particularly for people living with diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
Deadline did not provide additional specifics about the timing of Collins’s near-fatal episode, the precise nature of the illness, or the treatments he received. The outlet also did not report a date for any new album, release, or performance schedule connected to the interview.
For readers, the immediate takeaway is the emphasis Collins placed on being alive after a period he described as extremely dangerous. The broader public implication, based on the reporting, is that Collins’s health journey continues to intersect with public awareness about addiction, chronic disease, and the consequences of alcohol for aging performers.
Why It Matters
- Collins’s remarks may renew public attention to how alcohol abuse can worsen serious chronic conditions such as diabetes.
- Because the interview was conducted last year, the timing of its publication can affect when fans and media audiences learn new health details.
- The account reinforces that substance misuse can carry immediate and life-threatening risks, not only longer-term complications.
- Collins remains a prominent cultural figure, so health-related disclosures from a major artist can influence public conversations about illness and addiction.
- The reporting offers limited medical specifics, meaning additional details may need confirmation from primary interviews or additional statements.
Key Facts
- Phil Collins said he nearly died due to alcohol abuse, describing it as an episode of extreme illness.
- Deadline reported Collins made the remarks in an interview with MOJO magazine conducted last year.
- In the interview, Collins is quoted saying, “I’ve been sick, I mean very sick,” and later saying he was “very lucky.”
- Deadline said Collins previously disclosed that he has type 2 diabetes and complications.
- Deadline described Collins as a Grammy-winning musician and framed the comments in the context of his public health disclosures.
- The Aug. 3, 2026 Deadline write-up did not provide detailed medical specifics or a treatment timeline.