Heartbreaking! Sir Rod Stewart, 80, had cancer twice, admits ‘maybe God will bless me’
The 80-year-old rock legend, returning to the Glastonbury stage for the first time since 2002, gave a raw and emotional interview to Radio Times ahead of his performance. In the interview, Rod took a surprising detour into his early years – recalling growing up above his Scottish father’s newsagents in Archway and working at Highgate Cemetery before taking a job at a funeral parlour.
Rod recounted a bizarre initiation from those early days: “You had to lie in a coffin for ten minutes while they nailed it shut. It was f***ing awful,” he said, describing how his beatnik style made it hard to get work unless he went through that grim ritual.
When asked about death now, Rod responded candidly: “It’s unavoidable! I don’t worry more than anyone else. You just have to stay fit.” He emphasized how many men fear going to the doctor, urging them to get checked. “I had prostate cancer and I always tell people: go to the doctor – finger up the bum, no harm done.”
Rod was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2000 and later prostate cancer in 2016. Thankfully, he was declared cancer-free in 2019, a milestone he credits to early detection and positivity. “No one knew, but I figured it was time to share. I’m in the clear now because I caught it early. I’ve had loads of tests,” he told The Mirror.
With his Glastonbury slot on the horizon, the “Maggie May” star appears more grateful than ever. “Stay positive, keep smiling, and the good Lord might just look after you,” he added.
And with that, Sir Rod is ready to return to the stage — living proof that resilience, humour, and health checks can go a long way.
Sir Rod Stewart is set to return to the Glastonbury stage in 2025 – but it’s coming at a hefty personal price. The music legend, 80, has revealed that he’s paying an eye-watering £300,000 out of his own pocket just to make his long-awaited festival comeback happen.
Rod will perform in the prestigious “legends slot” – previously held by stars like Diana Ross and Shania Twain – but says the festival’s offered fee isn’t nearly enough to cover his full expenses. “They’re only paying me around £120,000, but it’ll cost me £300,000 in total,” he told RadioTimes.
The majority of the bill comes from flying in his entire production crew and equipment from Las Vegas, where he’s currently starring in a residency at Caesars Palace. “I haven’t flown commercial in 20 years,” he confessed, adding that this time, his band will travel in Premium Economy.
Despite the cost, Rod insists it’s worth it. With a net worth estimated at £220 million, he’s still living lavishly — private jets, luxury homes across Essex, Florida, LA, and France, and a wardrobe full of gold and diamonds.
While Glastonbury doesn’t pay artists their usual going rate, organisers argue that most of the money goes to charity. Sir Rod might be footing the bill this time, but fans are already bracing for an unforgettable show.