Sir Rod Stewart branded 'tone-deaf' by furious fans as he jets to Scotland match hours after cancelling show on health grounds

However, the decision to make the journey came just hours after Sir Rod left music fans gutted as he cancelled a show in Chula Vista on doctors' orders.

The 81-year-old's team released a statement saying that Sir Rod had been diagnosed with laryngitis and, as a result, he'd been forced to cancel his latest gig.

"Rod Stewart very regretfully has had to cancel his show tonight in Chula Vista, California," the official statement began on Friday.

It continued: "He travelled to the venue and made every effort to perform, but on the advice of this doctor, and following a diagnosis of an acute respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis, he is unable to take to the stage this evening."

Sir Rod expressed his own dismay in a statement of his own late on Friday night: "Well, here I am in beautiful Chula Vista as the stage is being taken down behind me.

"Following treatment, I'm feeling much better, but my voice is not. I'm very disappointed and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to my fans.

"I did everything I could to make the show happen tonight, but unfortunately, it just wasn't possible. I will do my utmost to reschedule. Rod," he signed off.

Inevitably, much of the reaction to the statement was of concern, with many fans wishing the Sailing singer a speedy recovery.

However, concern turned to anger when on Saturday evening, Sir Rod shared a video of himself with his two sons on his way to the Scotland match.

"Here we are flying off to Boston to see Scotland in a World Cup," Sir Rod began. "It's been 28 years, so these kids - I've told them about it, but they've never been."

After a playful back-and-forth with his youngest son, Alastair, Sir Rod signed off: "I want us to get through to the next round and I'll die a happy man. Come on boys."

The trio then delivered a rendition of the football chant, "No Scotland, No Party".

Within moments of publishing the video, Instagram users flocked to the comments to accuse Sir Rod of being "disrespectful" and "tone-deaf", with many angry to see the singer on his way to the match despite having to cancel his show due to ill health.

One person hit out: "I understand that shows sometimes have to be cancelled, and if there was a legitimate reason, most fans would have accepted it. What’s hard to accept is seeing you apparently celebrating on a plane with friends less than 24 hours after thousands of people were sent home disappointed in San Diego.

"Many traveled long distances, paid for hotels, parking, tickets, and took time off work to be there. Then to see you flying across the country for a soccer game the very next morning makes the situation feel even more tone deaf... This comes across as incredibly dismissive of the fans who support your career."

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A second complaint read: "My 3 sons took my 82 year mother out of her nursing facility and drove to San Diego last night. Thanks for crushing an 82 year old and the 3 young men who wanted to share that moment with her. You suck." (sic)

"This feels rather disingenuous, especially after your cancellation last night. Too ill to perform but okay to fly across the country for soccer?" another questioned.

While a fourth slammed: "Now we know why you cancelled your show an hour before! Grifter."

"So you blew off all the people in San Diego that wanted to see you in concert but able to go to the World Cup, I see! I'm a huge fan of yours, but I don't think that's cool," a fifth hit out.

While a sixth did not hold back with their critique: "Your action last night was very unprofessional and a total disrespect to your fans!

"You disrespected your fans who had paid for tickets and spent time and energy to attend your concert. How disappointing! To see you bragging about flying on your private jet to Boston to see the game, while many, many of your fans were left disappointed on the streets of Chula Vista, is just offensive."

GB News has contacted Sir Rod's representatives for comment on the complaints.

While Sir Rod is yet to publicly address the furore, some fans did jump into the debate to stick up for the 81-year-old.

One fan weighed in: "For all those who are saying oh that’s why he canceled his concert last night, get a grip. I happened to see him in Vegas last week and he pushed through, but he looked like he was not feeling well.

"They even put a little thing up at the beginning of the concert that he was on antibiotics and if he should fall over, it would be a good laugh for us all. He’s 81 and still put on a hell of a show, even when he was under the weather. I hope he and his kids have a fabulous damn time."

And a second echoed: "Get a grip, people. I know it’s disappointing and frustrating when someone cancels a show, but that doesn’t mean their life, especially with their family, also stops.

"You can clearly hear in this video he is unwell by his voice and people have said he was unwell in previous concerts." (sic)

The journey appears to have been worth it for the Stewart clan as Scotland got their World Cup campaign off to a flying start.

Midfielder John McGinn fired home for the Scots in their opening match, securing a 1-0 win against Haiti.