A petition calling on Phil Collins to rescind his comeback has been taken down.

Brian Pee, who started the petition to the United Nations, asking Collins to halt his comeback "because there is far too much suffering in the world as it is," writes that he was just having a goof.

"It very obviously wasn't a serious petition," he wrote. "Surely no one could think this was going to be sent to the UN?"

Nevertheless, the petition managed to garner over 4,000 signatures during its brief time on the web.

"That anyone saw it as newsworthy is puzzling," added Pee. "How so many saw it as newsworthy is far more puzzling.

It must have been a very slow news week."

Another petition, demanding that Collins stick to his promise to un-retire, has also hit the web, although it is less popular than the first one.