Penny Lancaster was reportedly concerned before her husband Sir Rod Stewart took the stage at Glastonbury 2025. The 81-year-old music legend had been battling a severe bout of flu, which forced him to cancel pre-festival performances. His highly-anticipated set, his first at Glastonbury in 23 years, is being rebroadcast on BBC Two tonight (Saturday, June 27) at 10.50 pm.
Medical Intervention Before the Gig
According to Radar Online, Penny Lancaster took Rod to a London throat specialist before his Glastonbury appearance. At the time, Rod had confessed on Instagram: "My doctor ordered a bit more rest while I recover from the flu. Thanks for your love and understanding." Following the examination, he underwent voice coaching, hot and cold steaming, and strict voice rest. His voice only returned two days before the performance.
Penny later said, according to the publication: "He was never been so ill in his life. (But) it all turned around and he was on top of the world." She also told him: "You have to visualise yourself being on stage and manifest this whole experience, because it's going to happen."
Nerves and Pre-Show Ritual
Despite his decades of experience, Penny revealed that Rod was anxious before stepping onto the stage. She described the backstage atmosphere as "electric" and shared his pre-show ritual: a quick go on an exercise bike to loosen his legs and a glass of Bacardi and Coke "for a little kickstart."
"I could tell by his face he was nervous. I've only seen that once before, performing for the Queen in a small room at St James's Palace," she confessed. However, the nerves faded away. After his set, she disclosed: "He had the biggest grin on his face... he said, 'We did it.'"
BBC Broadcast and Family Support
The BBC is broadcasting Rod's performance as part of its Glastonbury coverage while the festival takes a break in 2026. The chart-topping legend performed in the Legends slot last summer, watched by his teenage sons Alastair and Aiden, daughters Ruby and Renee, and their partners at Worthy Farm.
Rod Stewart at Glastonbury 2025 is repeated on BBC Two on Saturday, June 27 at 10.50 pm.
