Sir Mick Jagger delivered an unexpected treat to drinkers at an Oxford pub on Sunday evening when he took to the stage during a live music session.
The 82-year-old Rolling Stones frontman wandered into The Half Moon in St Clement's and joined the Irish band already performing for the crowd.
Mr Jagger proceeded to belt out the traditional folk number Handsome Molly, a track he previously recorded on his 1993 solo record Wandering Spirit.
According to The Sun, the rock icon altered the song's lyrics, substituting Dublin for London in his rendition.
The impromptu performance marked his first live appearance since the Rolling Stones last took to the stage in Missouri in 2024.
One witness described the moment of realisation to The Sun: "We were sitting right by the band when a small group wandered over towards the musicians.
"I caught a glimpse of one of them from the side and said to my mates, 'Wait... is that Mick Jagger?'"
The pubgoer continued: "A few moments later, someone hopped onto the piano, and Mick just started belting out some lyrics."
The impromptu performance marked Mick Jagger's first live appearance since the Rolling Stones last took to the stage in 2024
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What struck those present most was how few people initially recognised the legendary performer.
"The most surreal part was that almost nobody seemed to realise it was him," the witness added.
"There were no crowds and you could really tell just how much fun Mick was having."
The Half Moon holds a special place in Oxford's social scene as a cosy Irish pub renowned for its lively late-night traditional music gatherings.
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Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood
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Located on St Clement's, the venue has long served as a welcoming spot for locals, university students and folk musicians seeking an authentic atmosphere.
Until the 1980s, it held the distinction of being the city's smallest drinking establishment.
The surprise appearance represented Mr Jagger's first live performance since the Rolling Stones concluded their most recent tour in Missouri last year.
The band, which Mr Jagger co-founded in 1962 alongside Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and the late Charlie Watts, remains one of rock music's most enduring acts, having notched up eight UK number one singles and 14 chart-topping albums across six decades.
The pub appearance comes as anticipation builds for the Rolling Stones' forthcoming album Foreign Tongues
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The surprise pub appearance comes as anticipation builds for the Rolling Stones' forthcoming album Foreign Tongues, scheduled for release next month.
Speaking on BBC Radio 2's Tracks Of My Years earlier this month alongside bandmate Ronnie Wood, Mr Jagger reflected on the band's musical diversity.
"They always say, 'oh, the Stones are a rock band.' When you listen to Hackney Diamonds, or listen to our Foreign Tongues record, how can you say that it is pure rock?" he said.
The frontman also expressed his eagerness to return to touring with Mr Richards and Mr Wood.
He told Radio 2: "I can't wait. I don't think it's going to be this year. But hopefully it's going to be as soon as possible."