BRITAIN: ROCK STAR Phil Collins (57) has reportedly paid out an estimated £25 million (€31.7 million) to his former wife in a divorce settlement.
The Genesis drummer and singer announced his split from third wife Orianne Cevey (35) in 2006, stating the pair had "grown apart".
It is the second time Collins has faced a costly marital break-up bill. He was forced to stump up £17 million to his second wife, Jill Tavelman.
Collins, whose hits include Easy Lover and In The Air Tonight, is worth an estimated £140 million, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List.
However his fortune took a hit of at least £25 million between 2006 and 2007, the latest report from his firm Philip Collins Limited suggest. It is thought the divorce payout could be responsible for the dip in his wealth.
If reports of the £25 million payout are correct, it will make it the most expensive divorce settlement in the UK entertainment world, topping the £24.3 million Sir Paul McCartney paid to Heather Mills after their split.
It is some way though off the £48 million that insurance tycoon John Charman was told to pay his former wife Beverley in the UK's biggest divorce case to date.
- (PA)