Sir Rod Stewart has been forced to issue an urgent health update to his fans after admitting his ‘days were numbered’ following gig cancellations in America
Sir Rod Stewart insists he’s “not dying” after being struck down with illness.
The British music icon, 79, was forced to cancel three shows in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe and Lincoln in California after contracting strep throat and testing positive for Covid within a matter of days. The rockstar told fans his “days were numbered” while he took some time to recover.
Rod revealed he had suffered a significant health setback only hours before the landmark 200th show in Las Vegas. He said: “Most people can work with strep throat but obviously not me. I’m absolutely gutted. I’ve been looking forward to this concert for so long. My deepest regrets for any inconvenience this has caused. Thankfully we’ll now be returning in 2025 and I hope to see you all there.”
However, after panicking fans with his frank confession, Rod has now assured fans that he has been “misunderstood”. He told The Sun: “When I said ‘My days are numbered,’ it was purely in jest. Aren’t everybody’s days numbered? I am in embarrassingly wonderful health and enjoying life to the full. I am not dying as far as I know.”
Rod is in ’embarrassingly good health’ ( Image: Getty Images)
Penny shared an update with Rod and their loved ones on Saturday ( Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Rod keeps fit thanks to the help of his personal trainer – the same one he’s had for 37 years. The singer alarmed fans when he cancelled three of his shows in America, including his 200th show in Las Vegas.
Despite the setback, Rod has already replayed the two shows in California. He will return to Las Vegas next year. Rod is due back on stage next month.
Meanwhile, Rod’s wife Penny Lancaster shared an emotional update after her husband was forced to pull out of shows. On Saturday, Penny took to Instagram with an sweet family photo, simply captioning it: “Happy Memories.” The picture was initially posted by Nicola Stewart, Sir Rod’s daughter-in-law who’s married to his son Liam.
Rod sported a dashing white blazer along with striped trousers, while playfully crouching next to Sean, his eldest son. His wife Penny, and their two boys Alastair and Aiden, and Rod’s daughters Ruby and Renee Stewart were also pictured.
In the earlier interview with The Sun, Rod stated that he’s going to continue his partying ways in the final years of his life. “I’m aware my days are numbered but I’ve got no fear,” he said.
“We have all got to pass on at some point, so we are all in the same basket. I am going to be enjoying myself for these last few years as much as I can. I say few – probably another 15. I can do that easy mate, easy.” However, the father of eight, who has survived both prostate and thyroid cancer, said he’s “more aware of my health now than before”.
