Sir Rod Stewart has been forced to cancel an upcoming performance in Australia due to a viral throat infection. The 78-year-old was due to play in the city of Geelong alongside his support acts Cyndi Lauper and Jon Stevens, as part of his ongoing A Day On The Green tour.
However, a post on Instagram just six hours before the show was meant to begin explained that it wouldn't go ahead and that rescheduling arrangements would be made "early next week". He later confirmed that this was down to an infection meaning his throat is "too irritated" to sing.
The Mirror reports that he shared his news on social media on Saturday, March 18, saying: "Live Nation and Roundhouse Entertainment regret to announce that tonight's performance by Rod Stewart, Cyndi Lauper and Jon Stevens at Mt. Duneed Estate, Geelong will not go ahead due to illness.
"We apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience for ticket holders. A further announcement regarding the concert arrangements will be made early next week." The statement was posted with a broken heart emoji.
A few hours later Sir Rod gave his own update to fans, writing on Instagram: "Hello my friends. 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.
"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 back on stage!"
Cyndi Lauper and Jon Stevens also made the first statement on their own social media accounts. It's not known how this illness will affect the rest of the tour, as Sir Rod is booked to play in Adelaide on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, Sir Rod said he would never retire from performing as it's "what the good Lord put me on this earth to do" but said he was keen 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.”
He said he was preparing to tour New Zealand in April, revealing he takes a whopping four suitcases of clothes on the road with him. Sir Rod 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.”
Meanwhile, Sir Rod has been clearing out NHS waiting lists as he pays for hospital scans across the country. The singer has promised to help patients in Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and “as many cities as I can” as he continues to put the government to shame with his generosity.
It comes after he paid for a day’s worth of scans at the Princess Alexandra hospital in Harlow near his home in Essex, following a surprise pledge on Sky News in January.
He said: “Now I’m going to go to Glasgow, which is partly arranged, Manchester and Birmingham, and do as many cities as I can just to help. It does work, especially around where I live. It lowered the percentage by 10% of people waiting, which is not a p**s in the ocean.”
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