Phil Collins bid farewell to his fans as he performed his last ever show with Genesis last night (Saturday 26 March), joking that he and his bandmates will have to now 'get real jobs'.
Collins' health has been deteriorating over the past 15 years due to an injured vertebra in his upper neck, which caused nerve damage. He began using a cane to walk in 2017, and now tends to perform on stage while seated in a chair - as he has done for Genesis' last ever tour, which concluded yesterday at London's O2 Arena.
The 71-year-old told the crowd: "It's the last stop of our tour, and it's the last show for Genesis. After tonight we all have to get real jobs."
The Last Domino tour has seen Genesis travel through Europe to perform for fans for one last time, with Collins' son Nic taking over drumming duties from his famous father.
In a review for another of the band's London dates, The Telegraph's James Hall said 'a baton has been passed' from Collins to his son, adding: "Collins Jnr was in many ways the star of this show."
Hall continued: "Sitting centre-stage in a black tracksuit top, he remained chirpy and defiant but marooned. There was a beautifully poignant moment when he slowly walked to sit by the drum riser while Nic played the fiendish drum pattern in Second Home by the Sea. Collins looked on, a proud dad watching his son nail the beats that he originated decades ago but is now unable to play himself."
Hall said Collins was 'physically frail and chair-bound throughout', having told the audience at the band's gig on Friday (25 March): "This is the last stop. After that, you're going to have to make your own music."
Collins has previously opened up about his health struggles, telling the BBC when Genesis's final tour was announced: "I'm kind of physically challenged a bit which is very frustrating because I'd love to be playing up there with my son."
When asked if he's 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."
Collins was told how how he had previously referred to the tour as 'putting it to bed', to which he said: "Well, you know, you say things as we are all men of our age and I think to some extent, yeah, I think it probably is."
Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity, Music, phil collins
Jess Hardiman