BBC Breakfast viewers were left in disbelief during Thursday's (October 1) show as singer Leo Sayer told presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty his age. The 78-year-old, known for hits such as You Make Me Feel Like Dancing and Thunder in My Heart, spoke to the duo ahead of his upcoming UK tour, which starts in November.
Age revelation stuns presenters
Before the interview got underway, Charlie told Leo he was feeling a 'big energy blast' from him as he entered the studio. Leo replied: "They say that! I'm in this weird situation where I'm 78 years old-". The BBC presenter cut in over their guest to share his own disbelief over his age as he could be heard commenting: "You're not!"
Leo continued that a lot of famous people are dying at the moment, before mentioning the recent death of Esther Rantzen, as he told Charlie and Naga that every day he gets up is a 'good day'. He added, "You feel like you're living your past all over again; it's an interesting situation."
Viewers react to his youthful appearance
It wasn't long before people commented on Leo's age, as many viewers took to X to share their thoughts. One person said: "Leo Sayer looks younger than he did in the 70's". Someone else commented: "78 years old. Doing alright." Another wrote: "Bl**dy hellfire, he looks well." As another viewer added: "He's a good bit older than me and has tons more enthusiasm and energy than I can muster."
Elsewhere in the interview, Leo joked he was Benjamin Button, suggesting he was ageing backwards. He told the presenters: "I'm 78, as I say, there comes a time when you realise the end of life is facing you sometimes. But, my energy, I think I'm Benjamin Button, I'm ageing backwards. My vitality, my libido if you like, my hair, my voice, it's still there."
Audience and music industry reflections
Naga was quick to ask who he believes his audience is, as Leo shared that it's a mix. He added: "You do get an older audience, those who have been loyal to you, have loved your records. The records remind them of times in their lives; it's nostalgia, isn't it? But, a lot of inquisitive young people come as well, and the audience is getting younger. I think it's because the music that we make, me, Lionel Richie, whoever, we come from a classic time when we dream songs, we went to record companies and said, 'Do you like this?', they'd say, 'yeah, let's put it out'. But now we're in a world where marketing and all of these things."
Leo explained that some labels won't sign artists unless they sound like mainstream popular musicians. He added: "The world has changed and I think there are a lot of people who hanker for that old world where art came before commerce." BBC Breakfast is available to watch weekdays on BBC One from 6am.
