Sir Rod Stewart's legendary Glastonbury 2025 performance is being repeated by the BBC on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 10:50 PM on BBC Two. The rock icon, now 81, headlined the Legends slot at Worthy Farm last summer, marking his first appearance at the festival in 23 years.
Health Issues Before the Show
Rod Stewart reportedly needed medical attention just to make it onto the Glastonbury stage in June 2025. He had been struck down with flu that forced him to pull out of several shows in the run-up to the event. The singer publicly acknowledged his health struggles on Instagram, writing: "My doctor ordered a bit more rest while I recover from the flu. Thanks for your love and understanding."
However, reports at the time suggested he needed far more than rest. His wife Penny Lancaster, 55, whisked him off to a London throat specialist ahead of his long-awaited return to Glastonbury. According to Radar Online, Rod was required to undergo voice coaching, hot and cold steaming, and strict voice rest following his examination. The Maggie May hitmaker's voice only recovered two days before he was due to perform, the Express reported.
Penny's Support and Rod's Nerves
"He has never been so ill in his life. (But) it all turned around and he was on top of the world," Penny later said, according to the publication. She is also reported to have told her husband of 17 years: "You have to visualise yourself being on stage and manifest this whole experience, because it's going to happen."
Despite his vast experience performing before enormous crowds, Penny revealed that Rod was anxious ahead of his appearance on stage. She described the backstage atmosphere as "electric" and disclosed that Rod's pre-show routine consisted of a brief spell on an exercise bike to warm up his legs, followed by a glass of Bacardi and Coke "for a little kickstart."
"I could tell by his face he was nervous. I've only seen that once before, performing for the Queen in a small room at St James's Palace," she said.
Triumphant Performance
However, those nerves soon melted away. As he walked offstage after his performance, Penny disclosed: "He had the biggest grin on his face... he said, 'We did it.'" Rod's teenage sons Alastair and Aiden, daughters Ruby and Renee, and their partners all joined him at Worthy Farm for the occasion.
The BBC's repeat of Rod Stewart's Glastonbury 2025 set airs on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 10:50 PM on BBC Two, offering fans a chance to relive the historic performance.
