Phil finds a pal in drumming monkey

12:53pm Thursday 22nd May 2008

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Phil Collins has joked he and the Cadbury's gorilla are best friends.

The Genesis singers solo song In The Air Tonight featured in a recent TV advert for the chocolate, with the ape playing the drums.

Phil said: "The gorilla, oh he's my best friend now. Really - we're thinking of sending him out on tour as he's better looking and more talented.

"It obviously put the record back in the charts and it made people who had forgotten go out and buy the hits album. It's strange that kind of exposure on TV, you think it's all dead and buried and then something like that happens and it blows right open.

"I've got a lot to thank the gorilla for and I will do in my private time."

The singer was speaking at Genesis's launch of their When In Rome 2007 concert DVD at London's Kensington Odeon.

Of the tour Phil said: "It was pretty hectic, the weather wasn't very kind to us everywhere so it made the actual show a little bit on the edge but we had a great time. Playing the old music and we still like each other a lot don't we."

Bandmate Mike Rutherford added: "Yeah, even after the tour."

The event was also attended by Al Murray and Philip Glenister.

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