An ex-wife of Genesis star Phil Collins is taking legal action against him over his recent autobiography, which she claims has "seriously damaged" her reputation.

The 65-year-old musician wed Andrea Bertorelli his first wife, in 1975 and the marriage lasted for five years.

They had a son, Simon, and Collins adopted Bertorelli's daughter Joely.

His latest book, Not Dead Yet, was released in October and documents everything from his rise to fame to his time in Genesis.

The 65-year-old singer also recently announced a comeback tour called Phil Collins: Not Dead Yet, Live.

In a statement Andrea Collins said for a number of years: "I have variously been portrayed as a homewrecker, a gold-digger and a bad-mother.

"The recent publication of Phil's autobiography Not Dead Yet is the final straw.

"The book contains a number of wholly false statements about myself and my marriage to Phil which have not only seriously damaged my reputation, but have also caused me considerable distress."

Andrea said she was a private person and "never sought the limelight" during her marriage to Phil.

"However, these attacks on my character and integrity are such that I feel compelled to take legal action" she said.

In the statement Andrea added she has instructed her solicitors to instigate libel proceedings against both Phil and the book's publisher.

"I wish to make clear I divorced Phil Collins on the grounds of his adultery. The grounds for divorce were not contested.

"Given the pending proceedings, it would not be appropriate for me to say anything further at this stage."

Collins and the book publishers have been approached for comment.