'I was a bit of a b******': Rock and roll legend Phil Collins ADMITS to cheating on ex-wife Jill Tavelman, but says he was just 'following his heart'

By Max Margan For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 07:33 EST, 13 November 2016 | Updated: 09:13 EST, 13 November 2016

Rock and Roll legend Phil Collins has labelled himself 'a bastard' for cheating on his ex-wife, Jill Tavelman.

The Genesis frontman and acclaimed solo artist told Channel Seven's Sunday Night he regretted the affair, which ultimately ended his second marriage. 

'I was following my heart. But it turned out I was being a bit of a b******,' the 65-year-old revealed.

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Confessions: Rock and Roll legend Phil Collins has labelled himself 'a bastard' for cheating on his ex-wife, Jill Tavelman 

Phil, who has sold more than 150million records worldwide, has recently rekindled his romance with his third wife Orianne Cevey - after the pair divorced in 2008. 

'I'm back with my third wife now, which people find strange. But to me, I think it's wonderful,' he told the program.

'We got divorced... I paid her a lot of money. But that's divorce, you know. We realised it was a mistake and now we're back together and everything's great.'

Bitter ending: Phil and Jill  divorced in 1996. The severance cost Phil nearly AUD$30million

Phil and Orianne's love story began in 1994, after his marriage with Jill broke down in bitter circumstances.

When they met, Orianne was just 21. Two years later, Phil and Jill were divorced, a severance that cost him nearly AUD$30million. 

Notoriously, Phil's decision to split was said to have been delivered to Jill by fax. 

'I was being a bit of a bastard': The rock icon said he regretted cheating on his second wife

The Invisible Touch hitmaker has famously paid well over $50million in divorce settlements. 

In his new autobiography titled Not Dead Yet, he opens up about his failed marriages.

'I am disappointed I've been married three times... I'm even more disappointed that I've been divorced three times,' he wrote.

Rough: Phil's decision to split with Jill was said to have been delivered by fax

Rekindled: Phil and Orianne recently revealed they are back together after divorcing in 2008

'While three divorces might seem to suggest a casual attitude towards the whole idea of marriage, this couldn't be further from the truth. 

'I'm a romantic who believes, hopes, that the union of marriage is something to cherish and last. 

'Yet certainly that trio of divorces demonstrates a failure to co-exist happily and to understand my partners. 

Happy birthday! Phil pictured with his daughter Lily Collins and her mother Jill Tavelman, during Lily's birthday celebrations in 2012

'It suggests a failure to become and stay, a family. It shows failure, full stop.'

Orianne spoke to Swiss newspaper SonntagsBlick earlier this year about her rekindled romance with the iconic musician. 

'Our separation was the wrong decision. I now call Phil my husband again,' she revealed.  

'I'm a romantic': Phil has previously expressed his regret over his three failed marriages 

'We are so close that it does not actually make a difference if we are married or not, but we are determined to get married for a second time one day.'

She continued: 'We were always very close, because of the children... just last year, I realised that he is indeed the man of my life.' 

After their divorce - nearly a decade ago - Phil spiralled into the depths of alcoholism and famously quit the music industry.

'I am disappointed': In Phil's new autobiography Not Dead Yet, he opens up about his failed marriages

He revealed to Sunday Night his addiction nearly killed him.

'I was in intensive care - cables coming out of my neck... I finally got better, but they said I was going to die.'

Meanwhile, the rock icon told the program he is coming out of retirement after a eight year hiatus.  

'I was going to die': Phil spiralled into the depths of alcoholism and famously quit the music industry

'I'm terrible at retirement. I've changed my mind. I'm not retired,' he said.

'I don't so much miss it (performing), but when you have it, you think, "oh, that's nice." 

'When you go on stage and people stand up and they say, "Thank you for coming back. I love you," that's a lovely feeling.'  

'I'm terrible at retirement': Phil also admitted that he is out of retirement after an eight year hiatus   

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