Phil Collins ‘raring to go’ after coming out of retirement

British singer Phil Collins has said he is coming out of retirement, four years after leaving the music business.

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, he stated: “I’m no longer officially retired. The horse is out of the stable and I’m raring to go.”

The 64-year-old is even planning to go on the road. “I don’t think I want a very long tour,” he said.

"But I would like to play the stadiums in Australia and the Far East, and that's the only way to do that. But there's a part of me that just wants to do theatres, so we'll see."

In 2011, Collins decided to leave music because he wanted to be a full-time father to his young sons.

Four years on, his situation has changed: “My kids are now 10 and 14 and they want to see what their dad does,” Collins told Rolling Stone.

“They were in nappies when I was last on the road ... I’d like to take them out so they can enjoy it.”

A member of rock band Genesis during the band’s most successful commercial period, the London-born drummer and singer joined the group in 1970.

He took over singing with the band when Peter Gabriel left in 1975, before officially departing for a solo career himself just over 20 years later.

The former Genesis frontman’s last album of new material was 2002’s Testify.

In 2007, a Genesis reunion tour led to damage in his hands, leaving him unable to play the drums.

Collins also revealed his plans to move a studio into his home in Miami, Florida where he will start recording new music next month.

His new band features Jason Bonham, the son of Led Zeppelin drummer, John.

One of the most successful songwriters and performers of all time, Collins has sold over 100 million albums worldwide both as a solo artist and as a member of a band.

The singer’s number one singles include A Groovy Kind Of Love and Against All Odds.

UK number two hit In The Air Tonight featured on an episode of US cop series Miami Vice, in which he also guest starred.

As a film star, Collins headed the cast of 1988 movie Buster, based on the story of Buster Edwards who was one of the crooks involved in The Great Train Robbery of 1963.

PA