There’s something truly heartwarming about the bond between a father and daughter, especially when they’ve navigated the ups and downs of life together. For Lily Collins and her dad, legendary musician Phil Collins, their relationship has evolved from one marked by distance to a deep, unshakable connection. A source close to the reclusive rock star says Phil treasures every word of praise from Lily, especially now as he keeps a low profile following his bitter divorce from third wife Orianne Cevey.
A Bond That’s Stronger Than Ever
“Phil and Lily had their challenges when she was growing up,” an insider exclusively tells Closer. “She’s been open about those struggles, but they’ve worked through everything and are now incredibly close. Distance is a factor because they live far apart, but that hasn’t weakened their bond. Phil couldn’t be prouder of Lily and all the success she’s achieved.”
Lily’s Journey Into Motherhood
On January 31, Lily Collins, now 36, announced a major milestone in her life: the arrival of her first child with husband Charlie McDowell via surrogate. In an emotional Instagram post, Lily shared a photo of her newborn daughter, Tove Jane McDowell, with a heartfelt caption. “Welcome to the center of our world, Tove Jane McDowell,” she wrote. “Words will never express our endless gratitude for our incredible surrogate and everyone who helped us along the way. We love you to the moon and back again…”
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For Phil, this news was nothing short of life-changing. “He was one of the first people to hear about the birth of his granddaughter,” the insider reveals. “As soon as Lily and little Tove are ready to travel, they’ll be heading to Europe for a visit with Phil. Despite his ongoing health struggles, Phil remains optimistic and has even returned to his home studio to create new music. While he can no longer play the drums due to physical limitations, his son Nic, a talented drummer, is collaborating with him, raising hopes for a new album in the near future.”
Rebuilding a Relationship
It wasn’t always this way for Phil and Lily. Back in March 2017, Lily penned a deeply personal letter to her father in her book of essays, Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me. In it, she forgave him for the mistakes he made during her childhood. “Because my dad was often gone, I never wanted to do anything that would make him stay away even longer,” she wrote. “I became extra careful about what I said and how I said it, afraid he’d think I was angry or didn’t love him. And the truth is, I was angry. I missed him and wanted him there.”
A lot has changed for both father and daughter since those early days. Phil, the iconic Genesis singer, has spoken candidly about his health issues in recent years and how they’ve affected his music career. “I keep thinking I should go downstairs to the studio and see what happens,” Phil told MOJO. “But I’m not hungry for it anymore. The truth is, I’ve been sick—very sick…”
A Legacy of Drumming and Dedication
In the 2024 documentary Phil Collins: Drummer First, Phil’s son Nic Collins, also a drummer, discussed the toll decades of drumming took on his father’s body. “I know he wishes he could sit behind a drum kit and play the way he used to,” Nic said. “But sometimes you have to accept what is. What I can do is learn from him and adapt. When I set up the concert kit, I have to do it differently because I know the risks.”
Phil, who underwent back surgery in 2015 after a 2007 spinal injury, explained that his health challenges led him to step back from performing. “If I can’t do what I did as well as I did it, I’d rather relax and not do anything,” the five-time dad said in the documentary. “If I wake up one day and feel like I can hold a pair of drumsticks again, then I’ll give it a shot. But I feel like I’ve used up my air miles.”
