Phil Collins, Wife Announce Separation

Thursday, March 16th 2006, 10:46 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Splitsville for Phil Collins and his wife, Orianne. The British rock star and his Swiss-born wife, who were married in 1999, announced in a joint statement Wednesday that they've separated.

They have two sons, Nicholas, 4, and Matthew, 1. Collins has three children from two previous marriage.

``They have been living separately since the beginning of the year and both cite the fact that they have been growing apart for some time now and this has put too much pressure on their relationship,'' the statement said.

``Consequently, they have decided in the interests of their two children that it is better to separate. They are both very sad that it should come to this but have as their priority the welfare and happiness of their children and are determined to remain friends and be loving parents to them.''

The Grammy-winning former Genesis drummer and singer, 55, and Orianne, in her early 30s, met during a 1994 tour supporting his solo record, ``Both Sides.'' At the time, he was going through a much-publicized divorce from his second wife, Jill.

The couple lived in Switzerland, and Collins will continue to live in that country ``to be near to the children,'' the statement said.

Collins won an Oscar in 2000 for the hit single, ``You'll be in My Heart,'' from the 1999 animated film, ``Tarzan.'' His score will also be featured in Disney's stage version of ``Tarzan'' that is opening May 10.