Rod Stewart cancels show at last minute over ‘sickness’ announcement

Rod Stewart has canceled a tour date at the last minute after contracting a virus.

The singer was scheduled to play in Geelong, Australia on the final day of his A Day on the Green tour.

Stewart was joined by Cyndi Lauper and Jon Stevens as support acts. The “Maggie May” songwriter shared a statement on Instagram just six hours before he was due to take the stage.

“Live Nation and Roundhouse Entertainment regret to announce that tonight’s performance of Rod Stewart, Cyndi Lauper and Jon Stevens at Mt. Duneed Estate, Geelong, will not take place due to illness,” it said.

“We apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience to ticket holders. A further announcement regarding the concert arrangements will be made early next week.”

All three cast members – Stewart, Lauper and Stevens – shared the same statement on social media. “Reposting Sir Rod Stewart,” Lauper wrote alongside the announcement.

In a subsequent Instagram post, Stewart addressed the cause of the cancellation.

“Hello my friends,” he wrote. “I’m absolutely devastated that I’m disappointing my fans who bought tickets for A Day On The Green. I was told late this morning that I have a viral infection and my throat is too sore to sing.

“I’m only human too and sometimes I get sick just like you do. My greatest joy is performing for you, so I’ll do whatever it takes to get back on my feet and get back on stage.”

Last month, Stewart was filmed visiting an NHS hospital where he had paid for a day of scans for other patients to cut waiting lists.

The rocker said he wanted to “prove I’m not just mouth and pants” after vowing to pay for the scans while tuning into a live segment on Sky News.

Stewart, 77, had recently returned from a scan herself.

In January, Stewart called on Britain’s Conservative Government to resign amid the ongoing NHS crisis.

“Personally, I’m a long-time Tory, but I think this government should step down now and give the Labor Party a chance, that’s heartbreaking,” he said during Sky News’ “Your Say” segment.