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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Katherine Heslop

Rod Stewart issues health update after cancelling gigs over illness

Singing legend Rod Stewart has reassured fans he "fine now" after a viral infection forced him to pull out of a show in Australia.

At the weekend, Rod, 78, announced that he was unable to play his scheduled show in Geelong, Australia, as part of his A Day On The Green tour supported by Cyndi Lauper and Jon Stevens.

However, the Sailing singer told fans his concert in Adelaide would be going ahead today, in an upbeat video on Instagram.

Sitting on a sofa and wearing a white and striped sports top, Rod said: "My dear friends in Adelaide, just a guarantee that the show will be going ahead.

Sir Rod told his fans he had a setback, but is ready to sing again (Instagram)
He previously said he was "downhearted" after cancelling a gig (Instagram)

"I had a slight setback here in Melbourne, I had to miss a show because I had step throat, but I am fine now and I will be there, I am looking forward to it."

After the cancellation on Saturday, Rod took to Instagram to reveal a viral infection left him unable to sing,

“Hello my friends,” he wrote on Instagram. “I’m absolutely downhearted that I’m disappointing my fans who bought tickets to A Day On The Green. Late this morning I was advised that I have a viral infection and my throat is too irritated to sing.

Sir Rod is currently on tour (Getty Images)

“I’m only human and sometimes get sick just like you do. My greatest joy is performing for you, so I’m doing everything I can to get on the mend and get back on stage.”

Fans rushed to offer support to Stewart, and some revealed the hitmaker was struggling to sing earlier this week.

"You could see he struggled on Tuesday night towards the end but still brilliant concert," one fan commented.

Another added: "Take it easy Rod! We totally understand! We all want you to be well and at your best very soon."

"You're in our hearts, you're in ours souls. Get well soon! Bless you," a third wrote.

Earlier this month, Sir Rod vowed not to retire from performing as it's "what the good Lord put me on this earth to do" but said he wants to do less shows.

“I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t love it," he told New Zealand radio network Newstalk ZB.

"But I want a new challenge. I’m not retiring though. If there’s a charity show and I have to sing Maggie May and Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? I’ll do it tomorrow.”

Rod Stewart, pictured with his wife Penny Lancaster and the then Prince Charles in 2011, says he has no plans to retire (Getty Images)

He said he was preparing to tour New Zealand in April– and revealed he takes four suitcases of clothes on the road.

Sir Rod, who recently ruled himself out of the line-up for the King's Coronation concert, said: “I’ve always been a bit of a show-off when it comes to clothes. I’ve always thought it to be an extension of your personality.”

The packing has already begun, he said, adding: “A lot of it has already gone with the amps and the guitars.”

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