Rod Stewart's wife Penny Lancaster shares his take on mortality amid 80-year-old's health woes: 'Go in a flame of laughter'

Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 14/10/2025

- 11:04

The singer has endured several health issues over the years

Rod Stewart’s wife Penny Lancaster has revealed the legendary singer’s thoughts about his own mortality, with the 80-year-old having faced several health challenges in recent years.

The Maggie May hit-maker has not yet retired, but Ms Lancaster revealed her husband has a unique approach to his time being “up”.


The singer is said to be “very vigilant” with his health and diet, according to former model Ms Lancaster.

She also detailed how her husband seems to be unfazed about the future and his age, preferring the idea of his life ending on a high note.

Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart has a plan for his mortality and the future

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“He feels like when the time’s up, the time’s up,” she told The Times.

“But he'll go in a flame of laughter and fun,” the Loose Women star added.

In her recent book, Someone Like Me, the 54-year-old reflected on the difficult period in 2016 in which Mr Stewart was diagnosed with cancer.

The singer-songwriter made Ms Lancaster vow to keep the news to themselves, something she struggled with deeply, but thankfully he was officially deemed “cancer-free” in 2019.

Penny Lancaster and Rod Stewart

Penny Lancaster shared how her husband has promised her '20 more years'

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PA

Ms Lancaster also detailed how her husband has promised her “20 more years”.

In July, the TV personality shared concerns over the singer, during which time he was forced to pull out of several concerts due to his health.

Thankfully, he was able to perform in his highly anticipated Glastonbury slot.

Emphasising her husband's real fears surrounding Glastonbury, Lancaster later reflected: "He had influenza A, which is the worst one you can get.

Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart has faced a few health issues

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GETTY

"It knocked him sideways – he's never been so ill in his entire life. About five days before Glastonbury, Rod said, 'I don’t think I’m going to be well enough. I tried my voice out and it’s not working.'

"He was on voice rest, and I was very, very strict with him. I said, 'You have to visualise yourself being on stage and the great headlines, and manifest this whole experience, because it’s going to happen.'"

Penny Lancaster and Rod Stewart

Penny Lancaster detailed Rod Stewart's thoughts about mortality

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GETTY

Speaking to Hello! magazine, the Loose Women presenter continued: "He came off stage with the biggest grinning face. The picture of him coming down the stairs is just relief. He was on such a high. He kept saying, 'We did it.' I said, 'No, you did it, darling', and he went, 'No, we did it – I couldn't have done it without you.'"

In early June, Stewart took to Instagram to explain he'd be cancelling his Las Vegas gig at Caesars Palace, vowing to reschedule for the following week.

However, he soon shared another update, expressing he was "awfully sorry" to have to cancel his June 5 show.