booze

ROCK veteran Phil Collins has admitted he was days from death after secretly relapsing into alcoholism.

The 75-year-old Genesis legend was placed on a life support machine as vital organs, including his kidneys, started to shut down.

Collins said his five children — including Emily In Paris actress Lily, 37 — were even summoned to a hospital in Switzerland to say goodbye during the drama two years ago.

Now sober again, the eight-time Grammy award winner said: “There were some decisions to be made about, ‘Do we keep Phil on life support?’

“My kidneys were packing up, my organs were seizing up. People were coming to say goodbye.

“They were all worried that they wouldn’t see me again.”

Collins — whose 13 solo hits include You Can’t Hurry Love, Easy Lover and Groovy Kind Of Love — first opened up about his struggle with alcohol in his 2016 book Not Dead Yet.

He said he started drinking while having too much time on his hands and stopped only after being hospitalised with acute pancreatitis in 2012.

Now he has told how he went on the drug Antabuse, which triggers severe sickness if used while drinking alcohol.

Yet, despite this, in November 2023 he was back in hospital because he had hit the bottle again.

He was discharged almost a month later, then readmitted in early 2024, spending seven months in hospital. In January he blamed the stay on contracting Covid.

But, speaking to The Sunday Times’ Decca Aitkenhead, he admitted that it was down to years of alcohol abuse.

He explained: “Something happened and I stopped taking the Antabuse. I resented the fact that I couldn’t drink.

“I’d have wine when I woke up. That was what I’d want for breakfast — a glass of wine. But I didn’t drink into the night.

“I wasn’t really aware of having a problem, to be honest.”

Then an 18-hour bender saw him admitted to intensive care in Switzerland, where he lives. A doctor asked his loved ones: “Is Monsieur Collins’ will in order?”

Looking back, Collins continued: “There were times I would just collapse. One time, I remember getting up to give the kids a cuddle and I lost my balance.

“I left two teeth marks in the tiles in the living room.

“Another time, I was walking upstairs too quickly and I fell down. There was a pool of blood around my head.

“There were various low moments that I’m not proud of.”

He said he had not touched a drop since leaving hospital, but confessed that the effects of boozing have permanently damaged his body.

Over the past decade he has had multiple operations on his knees and his spine, and he has Type 2 diabetes.

Single Collins now needs a 24-hour nurse who ensures he takes the medication he needs and helps him walk six laps daily around his home.

A physiotherapist visits three times a week.

He passes the time watching TV, including Sky News and re-runs of comedy panel show Shooting Stars. He also watches documentaries about serial killers on YouTube, along with Piers Morgan’s show.

In the wide-ranging interview, which he carried out with nothing to promote, he said: “I’ve had my run-ins with Piers, but I watch his show every Saturday morning. I really look forward to it, because I find I agree with him.”

Recalling the past year, which saw him reuniting with his children at Christmas to celebrate his ­recovery, Collins said: “I was very lucky.”

He said his illness had brought him closer to Lily, saying she “was sitting beside me in tears telling me, ‘I never thought I’d get these moments’.

“We had an incredible time. I can’t overemphasise how fantastic it was.” Collins also used his Sunday Times Magazine interview to address the end of his marriage to his third wife, Orianne Cevey.

He was previously married to Andrea Bertorelli and Jill Tavelman and met Orianne in 1994 when she was working as a translator.

They wed five years later.

Orianne, 52 — mum of two of Collins’ three sons, Nicholas and pro footballer Mathew — divorced him in 2008 and Collins had to pay a £25million settlement, the largest in celebrity history at the time.

The pair reunited in 2016 but in the autumn of 2020 it was revealed she had secretly married 36-year-old jobbing guitarist Thomas Bates in Las Vegas.

She moved him into Collins’ £30million mansion in Miami, and he even flew to the UK to work with Genesis.

Collins later took Orianne to court to evict her from the house, a move that saw Bates branding him “petty and vindictive” in an interview with The Sun.

Speaking publicly about the marriage bust-up for the first time, Collins said he found out about the couple’s wedding only when Orianne introduced Bates to him.

The singer and drummer said: “She’s not in my best books.

“I’d love to go into detail, but I can just see this coming back to bite me.

“And she’s admitted that she f***ed up big time. She’s aware of what she did wrong, and how wrong it was, and how it must have affected me. But I can’t quite forgive yet.”

Collins said he was still in touch with Orianne but admitted he tried to limit contact, explaining: “I don’t think it’s a good idea right now.

“Just because I know what I’m like. I would probably fall again, maybe. I mean, we were very much in love.”

Collins will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for a second time this November.

In 2010 he was recognised for his work with Genesis and this time will be honoured for his solo work.

The Sun understands he will try to attend the ceremony if his health permits it.

He is also working with Lily’s mother Jill, 70, on a Los Angeles charity auction due the same month. It will feature items from his archive between 1980 and 1995.

All proceeds from the sale will go directly to The King’s Trust, with whom Collins has worked for 44 years after becoming its first celebrity ambassador

Opening up about why he had decided to speak up now, Collins said he wanted to set the record straight on his life and career. And he said he was keen to find someone to settle down with again.

He added: “I’d love to be in love again. I would love a relationship. I think it’s probably too late for that. I’m not a very social person. I don’t go out.”

• Interview by Decca Aitkenhead for The Sunday Times

DAUGHTER RIFT IS NOW HEALED

By Ellie Henman

PHIL Collins has addressed falling out with his actress daughter Lily.

The Emily in Paris star, 37, wrote an open letter to him in 2017, where she credited previous eating disorders to the pair’s troubled relationship.

She wrote at the time, in her autobiography Unfiltered: “I forgive you for not always being there when I needed, and for not being the dad I expected.

“I forgive the mistakes you made. And although it may seem like it’s too late, it’s not. There’s still so much time to move forward.”

She continued: “I’m learning how to accept your actions and vocalise how they made me feel. I accept and honour the sadness and anger I felt toward the things you did or didn’t do, did or didn’t give me.”

Addressing the words in his Sunday Times Magazine interview, Phil said: “I was quite shocked and a little bit sad.

“But she’s told me why now, and she takes it all back.

“She wished she’d never done it. I have a wonderful relationship with Lily now. So everything has a happy ending, most of the time.”

The Genesis rocker also said he has a close relationship with adopted daughter Joely, 53, and his 49-year-old son Simon from his marriage to first wife Andrea.

His youngest children, footballer Mathew, 21, and drummer Nicholas, 25, are also in close contact with him.

Phil added: “There’s been a lot thrown at them over the years, and I dread to think what that’s been like.

“But all of us are good now and have been for a while.”

OLIVIA Attwood has revealed why she decided against posting screenshots to ‘expose’ her ex-husband Bradley Dack.

On Tuesday, the reality star told fans she was about to ‘get messy’ and post some damning screenshots after slamming the footballer’s new relationship – but never actually shared any.

With fans left on tenterhooks waiting for the posts, Olivia then returned to Instagram to reveal that she had been advised against exposing anything.

“So the screenshots are on pause, my manager wanted me to be the bigger person,” she said while making air quotes with her hands.

Filming herself with best pal Mark Johnson White, Olivia explained that they were heading on a night out to take her mind off it instead.

“So I’m gonna have a spontaneous night out. But I’m wearing Vans, so we’re gonna go and buy some shoes.”

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Filming herself in Selfridges, Olivia then bought a pair of designer high heels and headed to Soho.

Documenting her evening on Instagram; she, Mark and another pal ended up in hotspot Freedom Bar – partying into the early hours.

She shared a myriad of videos from the 7 hour bender, which saw the pals on the dancefloor, enjoying bottles of Grey Goose vodka at a table and larking around in the toilets.

Olivia also deleted the two stories which told fans that she was going to post screenshots, suggesting fans certainly won’t be seeing the evidence anytime soon.

She split from Bradley at the beginning of the year and later told fans the footballer had been unfaithful during their ten-year relationship.

The Sun revealed months on from the split that Bradley had quietly rekindled his relationship with ex Emily Rose Maloney, who he had dated before Olivia.

Earlier this week, Bradley and Emily were pictured together publicly for the first time.

This led to a seething Olivia slamming his flame as the ‘bit on the side’.

Before threatening to release screenshots, she said on Instagram: “I have definitely beat up myself over my poor judgement over the past decade.

“But I guess I could have spent 10 years as the bit on the side / professional bench warmer … so silver linings I guess”.

CAN Butlin’s get any better? Well, apparently so as all three resorts now have new self serve bars for the first time.

Butlin’s at Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness have introduced the new booze bars with beers, ciders, cocktails, spirits and mixers and soft drinks.

There are more than 100 Self-Serve Bars in total.

The introduction makes Butlin’s the first holiday park in Europe to introduce the Boxbar machines.

The bars have been introduced to cut down queues, as well as to get served faster.

In fact, you’d be served in as little as six seconds.

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There are more than 20 drinks options including popular brands, including Madri, Guinness, Smirnoff and even Butlin’s own On The Beach cocktail.

The new bars are available to guests on all family breaks, as well as the adult-only Big Weekenders.

And the drinks are also included on the All Inclusive Drinks package.

Heidi Watson, Head of Innovation at Butlin’s said: “This is an exciting first for Butlin’s.

“Everything we do is about improving the guest experience and our new Boxbar Self-Serve Bars will make a real difference to guests on a family break or a Big Weekender.

“Open in time for the school summer holidays, the bars are designed to reduce wait times and make it quicker and easier for guests to get a drink.

“This means less time queuing and more time enjoying their holiday with family and friends.”

Here’s everything you need to know about a holiday to Butlin’s.

ALAN Carr’s ex-husband has told his side of their story in an explosive new memoir — lifting the lid on boozy nights with Adele and his own battles with drink and drugs.

Paul Drayton describes life inside a high-profile relationship and devotes an entire chapter to superstar singer Adele, who lived near the former couple.

Paul, 54, and Alan, 50, met in 2008 and tied the knot ten years later in a lavish Los Angeles ceremony officiated by Adele.

Recalling their nights together, Paul writes: “Most evenings we’d just get a Thai takeaway. Adele would turn up with a cheap bottle of wine, which we sank in a second, and moved on to our supplies.”

Paul also claims he helped introduce Adele to her first husband Simon Konecki, the father of her son Angelo, 13.

He writes: “She was always very honest and open with me and Alan because she knew she could trust us.”

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Paul also reveals Adele played them her chart-topping album 30 before its release.

And he fondly recalls “the time I took her to TK Maxx for the first time”, adding: “She couldn’t believe it as we combed through the rails hunting for bargains.”

Elsewhere in the memoir, Paul speaks candidly about his struggles with alcohol and drugs.

He writes: “Alcohol and drugs became my crutch. They slowed my brain down, quietened the constant noise in my head, and evened me out so I felt like I was on the same level as everyone else.”

Paul also lays bare how his relationship with Alan began, and how it developed.

He recalls: “Sexy? Sure. Marriage material? Possibly. Did I know at that moment I’d marry him one day? Of course not. But something clicked. He was unlike anyone I’d ever met.”

The pair later ended up in a nightclub — leaving Paul to wake the following morning thinking: “Oh my God, I’d been snogging Alan Carr.”

Paul went on: “There were moments when I genuinely thought we could’ve been the next Morecambe and Wise.”

But he says life with Alan soon “took over”, adding: “My dream of acting — well, it would have to wait.”

Opening up about living in the comedian’s shadow, Paul writes: “From the outside, it looked like I had it all. Alan in the spotlight, me in the wings. The ‘plus one’. The ‘kept man’… in designer sunglasses, holding the dogs and carrying the bags.

“But I wasn’t just standing there. I was driving the car, clearing the path, fixing the messes. Planning our exits like we were royalty.

“I’d like to think I was his ride or die — as he was mine, or at least, I bloody tried.

“I’ve been the clown, the cleaner, the carer and the chaos. I’ve fallen apart, pulled myself back together, and ended up in a police cell drinking toilet water out of a kid’s party cup.”

Paul was handed a 14-week prison sentence in January 2022 after admitting drink-driving.

He spent two nights in custody before successfully appealing the sentence, which was replaced with a 12-week term suspended for two years.

Alan and Paul announced their separation that month after 13 years together. The couple have remained friends following their split.

Speaking previously, Alan has said: “We’re still always going to be friends because we’ve been through so much together.”

Ride Or Die Trying by Paul Drayton is out now.

A POPULAR airline is introducing new rules for economy passengers on long-haul flights.

From November 1, TUI Airways has confirmed that it will scrap free alcoholic drinks for all economy passengers on long-haul flights.

Currently, economy passengers are allowed up to three free alcoholic drinks across their long-haul flight with TUI.

However, the new policy reduces this to just one alcoholic drink – beer or wine – which will be served with their main meal.

If travellers then want an additional alcoholic drink, they will need to purchase it.

Passengers will still be able to get complimentary water, soft drinks and juices.

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For those travelling in Premium Economy, there will be no changes.

The rules will apply for both inbound and outbound flights.

A TUI spokesperson told Sun Travel: “From 1 November 2026, we are making some changes to the food and drink service included for customers travelling in Economy on our long-haul flights.

“Customers will continue to receive complimentary soft drinks throughout their flight and a complimentary beer or wine served with their main meal.

“Additional alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase onboard.”

Adults with pre-existing bookings affected by the change will be given a £12.50 refund per flight, each way, as a gesture of goodwill.

A SOAP star died the day after her 35th birthday party from drinking a deadly amount of alcohol, her post-mortem has revealed.

Ece İrtem, best known for playing Işıl in the popular Turkish TV series Cranberry Sorbet, died of ethyl alcohol poisoning.

She died at her home in Istanbul, Turkey, after collapsing in front of her devastated mother.

Initial findings suggested Ece had died of a heart attack, but The Institute of Forensic Medicine ruled that the star died from alcohol poisoning after an extensive investigation.

395 milligrams of alcohol per decilitre (mg/dl) of blood was found in her system, nearly eight times Turkey’s legal drink-driving limit.

This blood alcohol level is deemed medically critical and can be fatal.

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Experts concluded the exceptionally high blood alcohol level mixing with prescribed antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication caused the actress’ death.

The findings put to bed widespread rumours that Ece had died from an illness contracted from a monkey bite.

She had been bitten by a monkey on May 27, during a trip to Thailand, Ece’s lawyer Uğur Gökkoyun confirmed.

Macaques in Thailand can carry infectious diseases including rabies and herpes.

But Uğur explained that she had taken a 21-day course of preventative medication before safely stopping it after 11 days.

And the autopsy found no evidence suggesting that the monkey bite was at all linked to her death.

Ece had posted on social media just a day before her death thanking fans for their sweet birthday wishes.

Heartbreaking tributes have poured in for the young actress, saying she was full of love and happiness.

Caglar Kuru, her friend from university, wrote: “I cannot find the words. She was a person whose heart was full of love, energy and happiness.

“Living through this pain is truly very sad.”

Ece studied at Yasar University’s Opera and Vocal Studies Department before going on to train as an actress.

The soap star kicked off her television career in 2014 before going on to appear in series including Runaway Brides, That’s My Life and New Bride.

She also starred in shows including Payitaht Abdulhamid and Mr Wrong.

Ece was buried at Yenikoy Cemetery in Kusadasi, on Turkey’s Aegean coast.

But the funeral sparked a furious row after several people were spotted filming and taking photos of the coffin.

Footage of the moment went viral on social media and the fans were slammed for their disrespect towards the grieving family.

From this week, there will be strict rules on the consumption of alcohol in two popular UK seaside towns, and anyone not careful could face a fine of up to a staggering £1,000

Two popular UK seaside towns have introduced a ‘booze ban’, with the risk of £1,000 fines for anyone caught flouting the rules.

In a bid to help manage anti-social behaviour in Kent, a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) has been approved for three years. Under this order, which will be in force from Wednesday, 1 July, there will be a year-round blanket ban on the consumption of alcohol in Margate and Ramsgate high streets.

Anyone caught breaking a PSPO, which is a criminal offence, could be fined up to around £100. This can be reduced if it’s paid within 10 to 14 days; however, if anyone avoids paying the fine, they could face prosecution and be fined up to a staggering £1,000.

Margate has long been a popular destination in Kent, thanks to its traditional Victorian charm, stretches of golden beach and close link to London, often earning the nickname of ‘Shoreditch-on-Sea’. Ramsgate is just as popular with its sprawling beaches, Royal Harbour and thriving independent food scene.

But it’s not just these seaside towns taking the brunt of the new order.

The PSPO also sets out that in areas across Broadstairs, Cliftonville West, Margate and Ramsgate, there will be bans on anti-social behaviour related to the consumption of alcohol and not handing over alcohol when asked by authorities. It comes after Kent Police said fights had erupted on Broadstairs and Margate beach last week, while people were also assaulted at Margate Railway Station.

Some businesses in Thanet told BBC Radio Kent that they had been forced to close early on occasions due to anti-social behaviour in the area. One even said they were planning to move out of the area as it had become intimidating.

The aim of the order is to “introduce targeted restrictions to curb alcohol-related disorder, public urination, and defecation for a period of three years”, the Thanet District Council website noted. According to the BBC, East Thanet MP Polly Billington said following approval on Thursday: “It’s vital for our economy that people feel confident about keeping their doors open to their shop, and actually, [it’s vital] for the wellbeing of our residents and our visitors that everybody feels safe.”

Meanwhile, before the order was approved, Councillor Heather Keen, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, highlighted: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to share their views. Our communities deserve safe, clean, and welcoming public spaces, and this overwhelming support shows how passionate local people are about protecting their environment.

“If Cabinet agrees to implement these proposals, our safety teams and the police will have an effective tool to address persistent issues impacting our towns. We have listened closely to feedback, and while enforcement would always be a last resort, these measures could significantly improve the quality of life across Thanet.”

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

DISNEYLAND is a place where everyone can enjoy a bit of magic, but hidden behind its world famous rides and queues of exhausted families is a top secret club that most guests have no idea exists.

Club 33 originally opened in Disneyland California, although can also be found in Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland now too.

But don’t get too excited – the club is incredibly exclusive and the only way to join is if you receive an invite.

It’s even suggested that there is a waiting list of up to 10 years, which was reportedly closed in 2007 after it became so long, before reopening in 2012.

So it’s no wonder why the sought-after club is loved by celebs like Tom Hanks, Michael Jackson and Elton John.

Found on 33 Orleans Street, the speakeasy style club can be found behind a blue door with a discreet 33 address plate at the entrance, for those in the know.

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The members-only club was founded by Walt Disney, who based the club on his travel adventures with his wife Lillian, although he died a year before the club opened in 1967.

Inside is just as lush as you’d expect, with wood-panelled private dining lounges, swanky baroque wallpaper and various Victorian curios that Walt personally collected from antique shops.

In fact, the restaurant is one of the only places visitors can bag some booze in the park.

And for film fanatics, props from classics like Mary Poppins  are inside, including original drawings on the wall.

But all of this will cost you.

Initiation fees are believed to range between $25,000 (£19,200) and $50,000 (£38,000).

Then there is the annual fee, which can be as much as $30,000 (£23,000).

The membership, however, gets you some extra perks such as day passes for guests, private VIP tours, exclusive merchandise and free hotel room upgrades.

You also can’t go to more than one of the Club 33s around the world, as each membership is exclusive to each club.

There is one place in the club you can visit without your own membership, although you do need to know someone who does have one to take you.

The Salon Nouveau Lounge is known for it’s posh caviar appetizers as well as burgers and champagne, so if you know someone lucky enough to have access the club 33, you could try it out.

Meanwhile, for members only, there is Le Grande Salon which has set menu costing upwards of £100, but can reportedly include options such as scallops and steak tartare.

And for those wanting to spend the night, there’s the Disneyland Dream Suite, which sits above the next-door Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

Walt had his own apartment on Main Street in the park, but it was decided there needed to be a bigger spot to host Disney’s VIP guests, away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds.

The more specific details of the elusive club are scarce, mostly because members are told not to ever share the club’s secrets.

Florida-based Disney travel experts Simon and Susan Veness previously told the Telegraph: “The level of secrecy around Club 33 is quite startling, but it has been there since the club’s earliest days, and it continues to be a Disney parks anomaly today.

“For somewhere that is never slow to promote its rides and attractions, this ultra-expensive ‘insiders’ club’ is distinctly incongruous and out of step with the general pixie dust nature of the theme parks.”

However, some guests have shared a sneak peak inside the club.

This week former Playboy star Holly Madison took to Instagram to post some snaps from the balcony of the club.

“Club 33 Alice in Wonderland tea was divine,” she captioned the alluring snaps which showed her sat a linen-covered table with Mad Hatter plates, Alice in Wonderland-themed snacks and over huge floral displays.

Bragging about having club 33 membership comes with it’s risks though as one couple even ended up taking Disney to court after losing their membership.

The couple, from the US, said they had paid as much as $124,000 (£94,000) a year to visit the theme parks, sometimes visiting as much as 80 times a year.

However, they were taken off the membership list after the park claimed they had both behaved badly, being both intoxicated and swearing – something they both refute.

Back in 2015 Joseph Cosgrove allegedly lost his membership when he allowed a friend to auction off his passes.

According to Disneyland spokeswoman Suzi Brown, Joseph had “repeatedly transferred and sold their membership privileges,” which meant the park was “left with no other choice in order to preserve the integrity of membership.”

Celebrities aren’t immune to having their membership revoked either; a Pitch Perfect actress claimed she was suspended from the club for taking a secret picture in the club’s bathroom, she revealed on The Daily Show in 2023.

But all the mystery around the club has only made it more intriguing for Disney fans over the years, with thousands of social media posts on the topic of the secret spot popping up every week.