'We realised we had made a mistake': Phil Collins reveals how he and his ex-wife Orianne separated because they simply 'lost the plot' 

Pop legend Phil Collins says he's never been happier since reuniting with his third wife after 10 years.

He said they had a very happy life together, then 'just lost the plot'.

The 65-year-old former Genesis drummer said getting his family back has given him a new zest for life.

He said: 'It's great to be back with Orianne. We had a wonderful life when we were together. Then we lost the plot for a little bit and got separated.'

The pop legend said he and Orianne had 'lost the plot' when they split in 2006. Pictured, the pair had a lavish wedding ceremony in the Beau Rivage hotel in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1999

The singer and his 43-year-old Swiss-born wife Orianne Cevey are now back living together in their Miami mansion. Pictured, Phil arriving at the BBC studios in January with a walking stick as he continues his recovery from major back surgery and Orianne going about her business near the couple's home last week

The Against All Odds singer and his 43-year-old Swiss-born wife Orianne Cevey, are now back living together in a magnificent mansion over-looking Miami's Biscayne Bay with their two sons, Matthew, 14, and Nicholas, 11.

When they split up in 2006 after 12 years of marriage, the couple's divorce settlement was the largest pay-out in U.K. showbiz history, at a whopping £25m (32 million euros).

Orianne later had another failed marriage to a Moroccan-born investment banker, but always remained on good terms with Phil.

Speaking in New York yesterday, Phil said: 'We went back because we realised we had made a mistake. A lot of people don't have that chance, or don't give themselves that chance.'

And it's not just the entertainer who is celebrating the reunion with Orianne.

'Our young sons Matthew and Nicholas are like a dog with two tails,' he told me. 'I mean, they're just so happy. They've got their mum and dad back together, so it's a good place to be at the moment.'

Although Collins is currently re-releasing his solo albums, he said he has no intention of doing a world tour again.

'I will do live shows, but I don't want to ruin this little rhythm I have in my life now,' Phil confided.

'I don't want to suddenly get back on the roundabout, say goodbye to my sons, and come back to find that they're now all grown up and driving.'

The biggest passion in his life these days, Phil said, is being a father.

'Having young kids keeps you young and keeps you in the moment because you're sharing their world with them,' he explained.

When they split up in 2006 after 12 years of marriage, the couple's divorce settlement was the largest pay-out in U.K. showbiz history, at £25m. Pictured, the pair in 1999

Phil (pictured here with Orianne in 1997), said they realised they 'had made a mistake' after they divorced

Despite the fact that he was recently pictured walking with the aid of crutches, Collins insisted he's in good health today.

'The reason you have seen me hobbling around with a stick is not old age, it's because I fractured my foot.

'I did have an operation on my back and, bless him, Larry Mullen of U2 got in touch with me to say he had the same problem from drumming.

'I've played drums since I was five and I'm 65 now, so that's a lot of wear and tear on your knees and your back.'

Collins said he was shocked by the deaths of David Bowie and Glen Frey of The Eagles in recent weeks.

'That's pretty close to home when you're their age,' he said.

'But I still feel like I did when I was 40, although I'm a wiser man, I have to say, at this age.'

Phil's various children from his three marriages are said to have played a big part in the reconciliation with Orianne.

His actress daughter Lily, by his second wife, is close to Orianne, and his 40-year-old son Simon lives part-time in the Miami house.

It's been an amazing life and Phil, who also acted in the lead role in the movie Buster, back in 1988, said that he's currently putting it all into a book.

'It'll be out in October,' he added. 

Pictured here speaking on the Sunday Brunch television show, Phil said he was currently writing a book about his life, which will be out in October