Star confirms retirement

Top British singer to quit the music business...

14:06 09 March 2011

British singer Phil Collins has confirmed that he is to retire from the music business to concentrate on fatherhood.

The former Genesis star wrote on his website:

"I am stopping so I can be a full-time father to my two young sons on a daily basis."

His announcement was in response to a series of "distorted" articles that made him look "like a tormented weirdo", he added, saying:

"I'm not stopping because of dodgy reviews or bad treatment in the press. I'm not stopping because I don't feel loved, I know I still have a very large fanbase that loves what I do.

"I'm not stopping because I don't fit in. I'm not stopping so I can dive full time into my interest for the Alamo."

"There's no need for the straitjacket!"

Collins achieved huge success as a solo performer after being in Genesis, with albums including No Jacket Required and ...But Seriously.

He also has seven Grammy awards and an Academy Award for his soundtrack to Disney's Tarzan.

The singer has two sons, Nicholas and Matthew, from his marriage to his third wife Orianne Cevey.