Phil Collins has given an official statement on his website that challenges recent reports of why he has decided to quit music. 

The ex-Genesis star wrote:

"Many of the articles printed over the last few months have ended up painting a picture of me that is more than a little distorted."

He explained that the one and only genuine reason for his decision to step down from music as a career is his family:

"I am stopping so I can be a full time father to my two young sons on a daily basis."

Collins also made it very clear that a lot of his recent comments have been taken out of context or too seriously, and that he has no need to apologize for his success or retirement:

"The result is that I have ended up sounding like a tormented weirdo who thinks he was at the Alamo in another life, who feels very sorry for himself, and is retiring hurt because of the bad press over the years."

He ended his open message, which you can read in full on philcollins.co.uk, with:

"There's no need for the straitjacket! PC x"

Watch his performance of the iconic track, 'Heatwave', during a French television appearance here: