Phil Collins’ lookalike son, 21, shares touching photo after dad visits him in Austria: 'Best of surprises'

9 April 2026, 14:57

Phil Collins shared a rare, heartwarming moment with his youngest son, Matthew, this week, surprising him in Salzburg, Austria. Picture: Getty/Instagram/Matthew Collins

By Giorgina Hamilton

Despite ongoing health challenges, the singer travelled to Salzburg to spend time with his youngest son, Mathew.

Loading audio...

Phil Collins shared a rare, heartwarming moment with his youngest son, Mathew, this week, surprising him in Salzburg, Austria.

The 21-year-old posted a photo with his father on Instagram on April 7, calling it “The best of surprises.”

In the image, Phil, 75, who currently requires 24-hour care due to ongoing health issues, sat beside Mathew, wearing a blue Ralph Lauren polo and glasses.

Mathew, dressed in a burnt orange sweater and dark trousers, mirrored his father’s look with a full beard.

View this post on Instagram

Born in 2005, Mathew is the youngest of Phil’s five children and plays professional football for Sportverein Austria Salzburg in Salzburg, Austria.

Phil has five children across three marriages; he shares Joely and Simon with his first wife, Andrea Bertorelli (1975–1979), and daughter Lily with his second wife, Jill Tavelman (1984–1994).

With his third wife, Orianne Cevey (2000–2006), he had sons Nicholas and Mathew.

While Mathew maintains a private life, his older siblings have pursued public careers. Simon and Nicholas are professional drummers, following in Phil’s musical footsteps, and Lily has become a well-known actress – notably starring in the Netflix series, Emily In Paris.

View this post on Instagram

For Phil’s 75th birthday in February, Lily posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram: "Yesterday Dad turned 75 and I feel so grateful to have celebrated together.

For all you've accomplished, all the joy you've brought so many all over the world… all the lessons we've learned, all the memories we've shared, and all the new ones to come, thank you."

She added: "I count myself so lucky to have hugged you, laughed with you, and reminisced with you on such a monumental day. Proud is an understatement. Love you to the moon and back again."

(L-R) Matthew Collins, Orianne Cevey, Phil Collins and Nicholas Collins in 2018. Picture: Getty

Lily has also addressed assumptions of nepotism, telling Vogue France: "It was out of the question that people would think that I use a free pass thanks to my name.

"I'm proud of my dad, but I wanted to be me, not just his daughter. I love to sing. But as I wanted to make my own way, far from the paternal genius – I preferred to be an actress."

In recent years, Phil Collins has stepped back from performing following a series of serious health issues, with his final live show taking place in 2022.

Speaking on a podcast in January, 2026 he said “everything that could go wrong with me, did go wrong with me.”

Phil Collins and his actress daughter, Lily Collins, pictured in 2012. Picture: Getty

Reflecting on his mobility after multiple operations, he added, “I can walk, albeit with assistance.”

Phil also revealed that he now relies on “a 24-hour, live-in nurse to make sure I take my medication as I should do.”

Despite these challenges, he remained positive about his life as a musician, saying, “I couldn’t have wished for a more varied and eventful playing career.”