They're two legends of the music world.

But Phil Collins has revealed a secret 14 year feud with his one-time 'hero' Paul McCartney.

The musician has told The Sunday Times that he's held a grudge against The Beatles star ever since Sir Paul supposedly made a condescending remark backstage at a Buckingham Palace gig.

When two stars go to war: Phil Collins has revealed a secret 14 year feud with his one-time 'hero' Paul McCartney

The former Genesis frontman, 65, admits he stopped being a fan of Sir Paul, 74, when they both took part in the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations back in 2002.

Phil alleges that when he asked Sir Paul, who was with his then-wife Heather Mills, to sign a copy of Hunter Davies' book The Beatles he was met with a patronising response.

'I said, "Hey Paul, do you mind signing this for me?" and he said, "Oh Heather, our little Phil's a bit of a Beatles fan,"' the singer told The Sunday Times. 'And I thought, "You f---, you f---." Never forgot it.'

Attitude? Collins has said that he's held a grudge against The Beatles star ever since Sir Paul supposedly made a condescending remark backstage at a Buckingham Palace gig in 2002

'McCartney was one of my heroes. But he has this thing when he's talking to you, where he makes you feel... (like), "I know this must be hard for you, because I'm a Beatle. I'm Paul McCartney and it must be very hard for you to actually be holding a conversation with me".'

Meanwhile in another candid chat Phil has admitted that his third wife Orianne Cevey didn't give him a penny of the £25 million he paid her during their divorce battle when they got back together.

The musician confirmed earlier this year he was back in a relationship with the 43-year-old jewellery designer, almost a decade after forking out the record-breaking sum - Britain's largest settlement at the time.

You can't hurry, love: Phil has admitted that his third wife Orianne Cevey didn't give him a penny of the £25 million he paid her during their divorce battle when they got back together

He jokes that he now only likes to think he has been divorced twice.

Speaking at a press conference at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday to announce his Not Dead Yet: Live 2017 Tour, Phil said: 'I'm back with my third wife so I've only really been divorced twice you could say, if you were being generous.

'And she didn't give me the money back.'

Phil and Orianne - who was left partially paralysed with spinal disorder Brown-Séquard syndrome following an operation in 2014 - have two kids together, Nicholas, 15, and Matthew, 11.

Reunited: The 65-year-old musician confirmed earlier this year he was back in a relationship with the 43-year-old jewellery designer (above), almost a decade after forking out the record-breaking sum - Britain's largest settlement at the time

They married in Switzerland in 1999 but split in 2006 and divorced two years later and he started drinking heavily.

Phil - who has a son, Simon, 40, from his first marriage to Andrea Bertorelli from 1975 to 1980, during which he adopted her daughter Joely, 44, and daughter Lily from his 12-year marriage to Jill Tavelman, which ended in 1996 - has been having therapy recently to deal with his medical issues.

He added: 'I had back surgery because 60 years of drumming messed my back and hips up. It's left me as of now, a year on, with a dropped foot, my right foot doesn't have any feeling.

'I'm hoping in time that will get better as nerves regenerate. So getting some physical stuff done is at the top of my to do list.

'I'm doing a lot of therapy which is very good. Divorces and drinking don't really get in the way of this.'

Love conquers all: They married in Switzerland in 1999 but split in 2006. The couple share two sons, Nicholas (above) and Matthew

Still alive! Phil has come out of retirement after 10 years to announce his next run of gigs, including a five-night residency at London's Royal Albert Hall next June

Phil's son Nicholas has followed in his footsteps and become a drummer, as did his eldest son Simon, and the teenager is set to play alongside his father on the Easy Lover hitmaker's upcoming European tour.

He added: 'Nicholas who is 15 is a fantastic drummer, my oldest son Simon is too but he has his own career and very firm views about what he wants to do.

'Nicholas is in the learning stage. We did three shows in Europe and he played and all the band were very impressed. He'll go out with me and he'll be 16.'

Phil has come out of retirement after 10 years to announce his next run of gigs, including a five-night residency at London's Royal Albert Hall next June.

He will then head to Cologne, Germany, and Paris, France, for two dates apiece.

Talking about his decision to get back on the stage, he says: 'I thought I would retire quietly.

'But thanks to the fans, my family and support from some extraordinary artists I have rediscovered my passion for music and performing. It's time to do it all again and I'm excited. It just feels right.'