Brief

Phil Collins and Paul McCartney Reconcile After Two‑Decade Grudge

Collins explained on Piers Morgan Uncensored how a 2002 signing dispute was resolved after McCartney called him earlier this year.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 03 Oct 2026 10:22:24 GMT

Phil Collins told Piers Morgan Uncensored on Friday that he and Paul McCartney have finally reconciled, ending a dispute that began in 2002 when Collins asked the Beatle to sign a rare first‑edition book during rehearsals for the Queen’s Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace.

Collins recalled taking the book – a first edition of Hunter Davis on the Beatles – to the stage side, where McCartney signed it and then made a comment to his then‑wife Heather Mills that Collins interpreted as a slight. "He’s a big Beatles fan, is our little Phil?" Collins said, adding that he thought McCartney was being an "arsehole".

Earlier this year, McCartney phoned Collins after hearing the drummer was seeking memorabilia for a Kings Trust charity auction. During the call McCartney asked, "What is all this about?" and Collins replied that he wished he had never raised the old incident. McCartney responded, "I thought we were good, you know," and the two men "kissed and made up," Collins said.

Collins concluded the interview by apologising, noting that both men simply want to be liked, and that the long‑standing spat was finally over.

Key facts

Collins asked McCartney to sign a rare Beatles book during 2002 rehearsals for the Queen’s Jubilee Concert. (rollingstone.com)
McCartney later commented to his wife, which Collins took as a slight. (rollingstone.com)
In a phone call earlier in 2026, McCartney and Collins discussed the old grievance and reconciled. (rollingstone.com)
Collins said they "kissed and made up" and he apologized during the Piers Morgan interview. (rollingstone.com)