Rod Stewart's health struggle and his drastic action to get through Glastonbury

Sir Rod Stewart has taken drastic measures to ensure his Glastonbury Legends slot lives up to its name. The 80-year-old icon has suffered with various health problems over the years, but has taken steps to get fighting fit so his appearance at the festival goes down in history.

The singer was recently struck down with the flu, causing fans of the British star concern over his upcoming Glastonbury performance. It appears he has made his Glasto gig a priority, having gone on vocal rest during his One Last Time tour and cancelled four shows during his Las Vegas residency.

And to prove just how much his tea-time slot means to him, he's even paid £300,000 to make sure he makes it to Worthy Farm. The star is believed to be getting paid a significantly lower fee than that amount for the gig.

He said: "It’s actually cost me £300,000 to do the show because I’ve got to bring all the band back from America and I’ve got to take them all the way back to America.” And despite his expense, he can't even get any guestlist spots.

Rod told the Sidetracked podcast: “Believe it or not, my kids, three of them, all bought their own tickets, because Glastonbury give nothing away. Nothing. Everybody asks me for tickets. All the time. Everywhere. People just come out of the woodwork. ‘Oh, you haven’t spoken to me for 25 years. Any chance I could have a ticket?'"

Ahead of his Legends slot, instead of negotiating more money, Rod has actually swindled a longer set out of the organisers. Saying he wants to "get in as many songs" as possible, he was granted an extra 15 minutes, giving him a 90 minute set, instead of the 75 he was offered.

But one thing has got his back up when it comes to Glasto. He told the BBC: "I just wish they wouldn't call it the teatime slot. That sounds like pipe and slippers, doesn't it?"

He added: "You know, it's wonderful. I'll be in good voice. I'll enjoy myself. I don't care anymore what the critics think. I'm there to entertain my people." He recently promised his fans that his Glastonbury set will be "special".

Rod has overcome many health issues over recent years, after being diagnosed with thyroid and prostate cancer. In 2000, he underwent surgery for a tumour in his thyroid, causing him to lose his voice for a while. Then, in 2017, he received treatment for prostate cancer.

He's now had the all-clear and has used his experiences to urge others to get checked out if they have any symptoms. More recently, he had strep throat and Covid, but is reported to be fit and well for Glasto this weekend.

In an Instagram post, he made it clear that he's got no intention of retiring any time soon. He declared: "This will be the end of large-scale world tours for me, but I have no desire to retire. I love what I do, and I do what I love.

"I'm fit, have a full head of hair, and can run 100 metres in 18 seconds at the jolly old age of 79. I'd like to move onto a Great American Songbook, Swing Fever tour the year after next – smaller venues and more intimacy. But then again, I may not...

"My doctor ordered a bit more rest while I recover from the flu. Thanks for your love and understanding."

The beloved Scottish singer will perform at Glastonbury on Sunday, June 29, 3.45pm to 5.15pm. He joins the likes of Diana Ross, Jeff Lynn's ELO and Shania Twain, who have all taken their turn on the tea-time slot.

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , and Threads .

READ MORE: Dyson fan that 'makes sleep possible' in hot temperatures gets £100 saving for heatwave week