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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

Phil Collins seen being moved from his hotel in a wheelchair before Genesis gig in Leeds

Phil Collins has been pictured leaving his hotel in a wheelchair before his gig in Leeds on Tuesday night.

The musician, who recently admitted he can 'barely hold a drumstick' in one of his hands, has been suffering from ill health for the past 15 years.

On Tuesday night, the 70-year-old performed alongside his band Genesis at Leeds Arena and remained seated throughout the show.

As he belted out his hit songs, the musician stayed in his chair and leant against a microphone stand while treating a delighted audience to renditions of his best-loved songs.

Phil Collins was seen being pushed in a wheelchair on Monday (SplashNews.com)
The Genesis singer was in Leeds to perform in his current UK tour (SplashNews.com)

Ahead of the gig on Tuesday, the Genesis star was pictured in a wheelchair on Monday afternoon.

As he was wheeled out of a hotel in Leeds, the drummer and singer wore a medical face mask and baseball cap as he was pictured out and about.

Clutching a brown wooden walking stick, the One More Night singer kept warm in the cold weather conditions in a leather jacket and blue scarf.

The star carried a brown wooden walking stick with him on Monday (SplashNews.com)
Phil recently discussed his health battles in a BBC interview (SplashNews.com)

Earlier this month, Phil sparked concern amongst fans as he appeared on BBC Breakfast and gave a rare interview where he discussed his health.

The dad-of-five has been suffering from ill health for the past 15 years with him suffering an injured vertebrae in his upper neck which has led to crippling nerve damage.

During his chat on the early morning breakfast show, the award-winning artist spoke candidly about his future and admitted that the band he plays with will be retired after their current UK tour.

Due to his illness, the drummer's ability to perform has been restricted and the star admitted he finds the challenges attached to his illness 'frustrating'.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Phil said: "I’m kind of physically challenged a bit which is very frustrating because I’d love to be playing up there with my son.”

He was then asked: “Are you able to do any drumming at all these days?”

He replied: “No. No, I would love to but, you know, I mean I can barely hold a stick with this hand, so there are certain physical things that get in the way.”

The rocker recently opened up during a chat on BBC Breakfast (BBC)

The star, who is father to actress Lily Collins, was then asked if he was 'putting it to bed' regarding his current tour.

"We're all men of our age, and I think to some extent, I think it probably is putting it to bed," Phil replied.

"I think yeah, I think just generally for me, I don't know if I want to go out on the road any more."

Phil has suffered a number of physical health problems over recent years.

In April 2009, the Oscar winner had surgery to repair dislocated vertebrae in his upper neck caused by drumming on the 2007 Genesis tour.

The operation caused the drummer to lose feeling in his fingers and he could only hold drum sticks if they were taped to his hands.

The star with his daughter, actress Lily Collins and his ex Jill Tavelman (Getty)

In 2014, Phil revealed he still could not properly play the drums due to an undiagnosed nerve problem rather than arthritis.

The much-loved musician underwent an operation on his spine in 2015 and announced that he was still unable to drum with his left hand the following year.

In 2019, alongside bandmates Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks, Phil announced on Zoe Ball ’s Radio 2 show that Genesis had reunited for a 2020 tour of the UK and Ireland, entitled The Last Domino?

It was also revealed that Phil's son Nic would be his father’s stand-in on drums for the tour.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the reunion tour was moved from spring to autumn 2021.

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