The drive to prevent the former Genesis star from making a return to music after an absence of four years was launched last week (ends08Nov15), with organisers urging music lovers to add their names to a petition aimed at the United Nations.

It was titled 'Phil Collins Must Be Stopped' and garnered more than 4,350 signatures before the organiser shut it down on Sunday (08Nov15) due to an influx of nasty messages from the rocker's devoted fans.

The organiser, who has not been identified, called the petition a "silly joke" which got out of hand, writing in a message posted on Change.org, "I doubt very much that Phil Collins would give a damn about my musical taste, and nor do I think anyone else should be bothered by something that was easy to see had no serious intent.

"It's gone now, so people who were annoyed about it and gave their attention to it... may direct their attentions to something of real importance."

Phil stepped away from the spotlight in 2011 to spend more time with his family, but recently announced plans to start work on new music and launch a 2016 tour.

"I'm no longer officially retired," he told Rolling Stone magazine. "The horse is out of the stable and I'm raring to go. My kids are now 10 and 14 and they want to see what their dad does. They were in nappies when I was last on the road. They love my music and I'd like to take them out so they can enjoy it."