Proudly wearing the colours of the Ukrainian flag, Sir Rod Stewart pays tribute to the war-ravaged country.
On the first night of his UK tour, the 77-year-old singer, who the Mirror last month revealed was housing a family of Ukrainians, sang his "anti-war song".
He has previously said of the track: “I have a song called Rhythm of My Heart which is actually about the Vietnam War and how pointless it is. But it is relatable to any war. I will dedicate it to the Ukrainians. It’s the least I can do."
Sir Rod looked emotional as he saluted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, whose image flashed up on a screen at the back of the stage.
Do you enjoy reading about celebrities? Sign up for all the best celeb news from the Mirror here .
Harrowing images of war and children affected by the conflict were also shown during the song, which he sang towards the end of his two-hour set on Wednesday night.
Speaking to the Mirror before the show, Sir Rod said he was determined to pay tribute to the spirit of the Ukrainian people on his tour.
He told last month how he was renting a house in Berkshire, as well as paying all the bills, for Ukrainian couple Rostyslav and Olena and their five children, who had fled the war.
He has also given two other refugees jobs at his Essex mansion, as a gardener and housekeeper, and has vowed to pay for even more homes for refugees.
Rod and wife Penny, 51, acted after seeing footage of the war on the news.
He said: "Words couldn't describe what we were watching. The bombing of innocent children, the bombing of hospitals and playgrounds.
"Like everyone else, we were completely beside ourselves. I don’t wish that on anyone. This is evil, pure evil."
'Rod Stewart is bundle of infectious energy on stage'
After decades on the road, Sir Rod Stewart has said his touring days are coming to an end next year. At 77 years of age, who can blame him? But on this form, Sir Rod could go on for ever.
Over the course of a career-spanning, 24-song set packed with classics such as Maggie May and Sailing, the rocker is a bundle of infectious energy.
And his trademark cheekiness is never far away.
"I am sweating my b*****ks off," he says on emerging after one of his four costume changes, draped in leopard print. "Still got it, I know."
His famous raspy voice is as strong as ever. Never more so than during The First Cut is the Deepest, as well as Handbags and Gladrags, which brings the ecstatic crowd to its feet.
"I know money is short but you've all forked out," he said "You'll get your money’s worth, I promise". You can say that again…
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033.
