Phil Collins’ representatives were forced to deny the legendary drummer was in a hospice last week, after a years-long health battle for the Genesis star

Fact-check: Did Paul McCartney visit Phil Collins in hospital and sing to him?(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Brook Lapping)

In the wake of Ozzy Osbourne’s death last month, rumours we were about to lose another music legend began to circulate. Speculation that Phil Collins was receiving hospice care had to be quashed after fans feared the iconic drummer was receiving end-of-life care following his lengthy health battle.

A representative for the Genesis star confirmed that Phil is actually in hospital having knee surgery, and isn’t on his deathbed. The widespread speculation that Phil was receiving end-of-life care sent ripples of concern through his devoted followers just days before the statement was put out.

In June, Phil did admit to his deteriorating health. Speaking to MOJO, he revealed a diminishing enthusiasm for creating fresh music owing to being “very sick.”

Phil Collins is not in hospice

He commented, “I keep thinking I should go downstairs to the studio and see what happens. But I’m not hungry for it anymore. The thing is, I’ve been sick. I mean very sick.”

“It’s still kind of sinking in a bit,” confessed the Grammy-winning performer. “I’ve spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock.”

Phil, who started drumming at just five years old, observed that his lifelong passion has “taken its toll on my hands, legs. If I can’t do what I did as well as I did it, I’d rather relax and not do anything,” he declared. “If I wake up one day and I can hold a pair of drumsticks, then I’ll have a crack at it. But I just feel like I’ve used up my air miles.”

Did Sir Paul McCartney visit Phil Collins in hospital?

It has been reported that Paul McCartney visited Phil Collins in hospital, but those claims are just rumours.

A heartwarming – but clearly false – claim has gone viral on social media that The Beatles legend visited Genesis star Phil in hospital, serenading him with “Hey Jude” on his guitar.

On 3rd August, for instance, a Facebook page named Rock & Roll Universe shared the rumour (archived), racking up over 88,000 reactions and more than 16,000 shares of its post at the time of writing.

The fictional post showcased two images: one of McCartney hugging Collins in what seemed to be a hospital room, and another of the former Beatle strumming his guitar while the Genesis star rested in a hospital bed, surrounded by medical staff. The caption of the fake post claimed: “This afternoon, London’s hospital halls fell unusually silent as Paul McCartney quietly arrived, carrying the same old guitar that had followed him through decades. On the fifth floor, Phil Collins lay still — frail and pale after months battling severe complications from spinal and heart conditions. As Paul entered the room, Phil’s eyes slowly opened, his lips trembling without sound.

“Without a word, Paul sat down and began to strum ‘Hey Jude’ — gently, with deep emotion. Each lyric poured warmth into the sterile room, moving the nurses to tears, while a single tear slid down Phil’s cheek. When the final chord faded, Paul took his old friend’s hand and whispered, ‘We’re still a band, even if the only stage left is life itself’.” The story has since spread among musicians like a final love song between two legends.”

The images attached to the archived posts are clearly AI-generated and the fictional post has since been archived.