Rod Stewart's wife Penny Lancaster's heartbreaking message to star as he turns 80

As Sir Rod Stewart gears up for his headline performance at Glastonbury, it's almost unbelievable that the rock icon turns 80 today.

The Celtic-daft rocker might have reached his milestone decade, but he's far from hanging up his mic after a dazzling 60-year career that boasts global record sales of over 120 million.

"I have no desire to retire," Rod confidently announced on Instagram back in November.

"I'm fit, have a full head of hair and can run 100 metres in 18 seconds at the age of 79."

His birthday bash is in the capable hands of wife Penny Lancaster, who has hinted at a string of celebrations spanning "several weeks".

The couple, who usually reside in Essex, reportedly enjoyed their Christmas in Palm Beach, Florida, before setting sail for the Caribbean just in time for Rod's milestone birthday.

It's expected that many of Rod's eight children will join in the festivities, including sons Alastair, 19, and Aiden, 13, whom he shares with 53-year-old Penny, as well as his four daughters and two other sons from previous relationships: Sarah, 61, Kimberly, 45, Ruby, 37, Renee, 32, Sean, 44, and Liam, 30.

The celebrations are also likely to include Rod's three grandchildren, Delilah, 13, and Otis and Louie, both 19 months old, reports the Mirror.

Affectionately dubbed the "Rodfather" by his large family, Rod has spoken about being "several different fathers" due to the wide age range of his children.

Despite his years, Rod remains forever youthful at heart—a result, he says, of having a bustling, lively household. Rod recently shared, "If there's a fountain of youth, it's children."

Showcasing an enduring love for the beautiful game, Rod revealed: "I've always played soccer, and I still do. I play with my kids as well. I keep myself really fit. I work out a bit. I'm mad about nutrition, watching my weight and everything. So I do work at it, and I think that helps a lot."

Former model turned Loose Women Penny admits she struggles to keep pace with him as he juggles a rigorous fitness regimen.

"He's a workaholic and constantly on the move," Penny acknowledged. "I struggle to keep up with his training schedule. He works out three or four times a week - even on tour."

Their romance began back in 1999 when photographer Penny encountered Rod, who was then splitting from his second wife, the actress and model Rachel Hunter, mother of two of his children, Renee and Liam.

Earlier in life, Rod had tied the knot with actress Alana Stewart, with whom he has two kids, Kimberly and Sean.

Smitten Rod refers to Penny as "the most gorgeous woman I have ever had in my life" and chose the iconic Eiffel Tower as the setting for his romantic proposal in March 2005.

Reflecting on the unforgettable moment, Penny said: "I opened the box and he had bought me the most amazing princess-cut diamond engagement. It was classic and striking. I was stunned, threw my arms around him, and burst into tears."

They tied the knot in the picturesque Portofino, Italy back in 2007, surrounded by a select group of family and friends. When they toasted their 17th wedding anniversary last June, Rod reflected on their long-standing union with affection on social media, penning "25 years together and no red flags".

The couple continues to demonstrate unwavering devotion, as Penny remarks: "Rod and I can have dinner in a crowded room or just the two of us - we always have eyes for each other."

However, when Penny joined the Strictly cast in 2007, she opened up about Rod's occasional pangs of jealousy watching her dance with partner Ian Waite, jesting: "I've lost my wife, she's in the arms of another man," followed by: "She's spending five to six hours a day with another man."

In her life away from the spotlight, Penny, who became a special constable with the City of London police in 2021, has candidly discussed how Rod supported her through the severe challenges of menopause, which once drove her to hurl plates of food in frustration.

Initially, she was wrongly diagnosed with depression, but Rod's unwavering support ensured she received the correct medical attention.

He also spurred her to confront TV host Gregg Wallace, who recently resigned from MasterChef following a string of allegations about inappropriate behaviour.

On social media, Rod labelled the presenter a "tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully" for his treatment of Penny during her stint on the celebrity edition of the BBC series in 2021, adding:"Good riddance Wallace... You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out, didn't you? "

Discussing the incident on Loose Women, Penny shared how Rod's backing gave her the courage to voice her concerns. "Once you have the backing and support of other people, you feel like you're going to be listened to," she expressed.

Born in Highgate, London in 1945 to Scottish father Robert and English mother Elsie, Rod was the youngest of five children, and recalled his childhood as "fantastically happy".

After receiving his first guitar at 15, he would often busk to earn money.

He played in several successful bands, including the Dimensions and the Faces.

However, it was as a solo artist that his career truly took off, with Maggie May securing his first number one in 1971.

Throughout his career, Rod has achieved 10 number one albums and 31 top 10 singles. In 2019, he became the oldest male to top the album chart with You're In My Heart with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

However, his life has not been without challenges, having battled cancer twice.

In 2000, he underwent thyroid cancer surgery, which required him to relearn singing.

In 2016, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but received the all-clear in 2019.

These experiences have driven his passion for the City of Hope Foundation, which aims to find a cure for cancer.

In 2020, Rod revealed that he had undergone knee replacement and ankle fusion surgery due to a football injury. Nevertheless, with an upcoming residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, he is unlikely to slow down his energetic stage performances.

"I don't see any possibility of slowing down anytime soon," says Rod, who released his latest album Swing Fever with Jools Holland last February. "As I get older, I only really want to do things that give me great pleasure."

Rod stated he was "absolutely thrilled" on Instagram when his Glastonbury performance was announced in November.

He said: "After all these years, I'm proud and ready and more than able to take the stage again to pleasure and titillate my friends at Glastonbury in June. I'll see you there!"

Last summer, Rod acknowledged the need to slow down. He said: "I'm not like I was in the 70s and 80s and I can't stay up all night, get drunk and go mad and still have a voice just like that."

However, he expressed no anxiety about death, saying last year: "I'm aware my days are numbered but I've got no fear. We have all got to pass on at some point, so we are all in the same basket."

Rod's relaxed attitude could mean he will celebrate his 90th birthday in a decade.

"I am going to enjoy myself for these last few years as much as I can," he said. "I say few − probably another 15. I can do that easy mate, easy."

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