Phil Collins And Paul McCartney Just Ended A 24-Year Feud — And It All Started With A Book And The Word "Little"

Stop scrolling, because one of music's most absurdly specific beefs is OFFICIALLY over — and honestly? We're a little emotional.

Phil Collins and Paul McCartney have kissed and made up after a 24-year feud, according to Page Six, and the origin story is chef's kiss petty.

The Tea ☕

• The feud started in 2002 at the Queen's Jubilee Concert rehearsals at Buckingham Palace.
• Collins says he was stung by a throwaway comment from McCartney about him being a Beatles fan.
• McCartney reportedly phoned Collins recently, they talked it out, and it's finally squashed.

It All Started With A Book

Rewind to 2002. Per Page Six, Collins brought a rare first edition of Hunter Davies' book about The Beatles to rehearsals and asked McCartney to sign it.

Collins claims McCartney then turned to his then-wife Heather Mills and said, "He's a big Beatles fan, is our little Phil?"

Collins' reaction, as he told Piers Morgan this week? He thought, "You arsehole." Yes, really.

The word "little" apparently lived rent-free in his head for nearly a quarter of a century. Morgan asked if "little" was the trigger, and Collins confirmed it.

The Plot Twist: A Phone Call

Here's where it gets sweet. Collins, 75, said on Piers Morgan Uncensored that McCartney, 84, recently rang him after hearing Collins was asking fellow musicians to donate memorabilia to a King's Trust charity auction.

According to Collins, McCartney asked what all this was about. Collins told him: "I wish I'd never said it, Paul." McCartney's reply, per Collins: "I thought we were good."

And then? "So we kissed and made up," Collins said.

A Tiny Shade Sprinkle

Because it wouldn't be a proper feud resolution without a little side-eye, Collins also noted that McCartney "likes to be liked, as we all do... maybe him more than some other people." Gentle? Sure. Pointed? Also yes.

He also admitted he "probably made more of it than he meant." Growth!

The Backstory Everyone Forgot

This isn't the first time the feud has surfaced. Page Six notes Collins aired his side in a 2016 Sunday Times interview while promoting his memoir Not Dead Yet, alleging McCartney had always treated him "condescendingly."

According to Collins, McCartney then emailed to say he was disappointed, and told him not to be so "sacrosanct." Collins joked he wasn't sure what that meant. In a 2026 Sunday Times chat, he said he's glad they've reconciled because McCartney is "part of [his] life."

A Heavier Moment From The Same Interview

In the same Piers Morgan appearance, Collins also opened up about his health. E! News reports he said his daughter Lily Collins cried recalling that she never thought her own child would get to know her grandfather, after his near-fatal health battle linked to alcohol in late 2023. Collins says he hasn't had a drink since.

Which makes this reconciliation feel even sweeter: life's too short for a 24-year grudge over one word.

The Internet Will Have THOUGHTS

Was "little Phil" a harmless joke or a legitimately savage burn? Is Collins' "he likes to be liked" a love tap or a lingering jab? And can we please get these two on a stage together for the charity auction?

Sources: Page Six, E! News

So tell us: was "little Phil" a harmless joke or a feud-worthy burn? Sound off below.