GENESIS - COLLINS TURNS DEAF EAR ON MEDICAL ADVICE

GENESIS frontman PHIL COLLINS is risking permanent deafness by reuniting the rock giants for a tour next year (07). Collins and bandmates MIKE RUTHERFORD and TONY BANKS officially confirmed the comeback yesterday (07NOV06), but the singer fears he may regret the decision because his doctor warned against any more shows. The 55-year-old suffered sudden deafness in his left ear six years ago (00) after he was diagnosed with a viral infection. Now he's worried months of loud gigs could ruin his right ear too. He says, "I find it very difficult to hear in loud environments. "I was advised not to do any more shows. But it hasn't got any worse. You just run the risk of b**gering the other ear up." The Turn It On Again tour kicks off at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland on 11 June and ends in Rome, Italy on 14 July (07). The three band members will be joined by long time Genesis sidemen CHESTER THOMPSON on drums and DARYL STUERMER on guitar.