Sir Rod Stewart, 80, has been passionately supported by fans after his performances at this year’s Festival of Remembrance came under fire from BBC viewers.
The Maggie May hitmaker was just one of a long list of big names to take to the stage as he paid tribute to the fallen heroes who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.
Hannah Waddingham was the star tasked with overseeing the star-studded event, which was attended by the King, Queen, the Princess of Wales, Prince George, Prince Edward, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
Also among the performers were The Wellerman, Sam Ryder, Blessing Offor, Keala Settle, Douglas Booth, and Ms Waddingham herself, but it was left to Sir Rod to open this year’s event.
Sir Rod Stewart’s performance at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance has caused debate
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Just moments after the Royal Family members took their seats, Sir Rod appeared on the Royal Albert Hall stage accompanied by The RAF Squadronaires.
Together, they kicked off the evening with a rendition of Sentimental Journey, the song made famous by Doris Day back in 1944.
Sir Rod put on quite the show as he shimmied across the stage and belted out the track, earning a round of applause from those in attendance soon after.
As the show moved on, Ms Waddingham paid tribute to the servicemen and women through history, hearing from the families of those connected to those we’ve lost, as well as surviving heroes from WWII.
Sir Rod Stewart performed at the top of the show
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Sir Rod even returned to the stage to sing a more sombre track, performing Sailing in a particularly poignant rendition.
However, soon after both performances by Sir Rod, social media became awash with BBC viewers keen to share their opinions on his participation in the event.
And it’s safe to say he drew a rather mixed reception, particularly with his first performance of the Doris Day classic.
Many took to X to question whether such an upbeat take on the song, combined with Sir Rod’s exuberant manner on stage, was “appropriate” for such an occasion.
Sir Rod Stewart started the show with a Doris Day classic
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“Because Rod Stewart gyrating his hips is how we all want to pay tribute to the fallen #FestivalOfRemembrance,” one X user sarcastically put it on social media.
“#Festivalofremembrance Is this appropriate??” a second questioned, while a third echoed: “Rod Stewart’s really going for it, but I’m not sure those hip gyrations are exactly in the spirit of remembrance #FestivalOfRemembrance.”
Elsewhere, a fourth appeared to agree: “This seems an odd choice to start off with. #FestivalOfRememberance.”
And the complaints kept coming following his rendition of Sailing. “Feel guilty posting this because it’s about remembering those who sacrificed everything, but if a newbie gave a performance like Rod Stewart just has, they wouldn’t be booked again. Very sad he’s living off the performer he used to be. #FestivalOfRemembrance,” a fifth critiqued.
Sir Rod Stewart gyrated and shimmied across the stage
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A sixth’s feedback went one step further as they brutally stated: “Rod Stewart needs to hang the mic up at this point. #festivalofremembrance.” (sic)
But despite the naysayers, fans of the singer rallied around him, keen to stick up for his performances and praise Sir Rod for being able to perform on such a big stage at 80.
“Great opening to #FestivalofRemembrance with Rod Stewart. Brilliant for 80 years old,” one X user fired back at the backlash, while a second supporter agreed: “#FestivalOfRemembrance go #Rod he looks in fine fettle.”
A third addressed the complaints directly: “#Festivalofremembrance Lay off Sir Rod. He looked like he was about to ‘greet’ as the Scots would say at the end of Hannah’s tribute. He kept it together well. I was in bits.”
Sir Rod Stewart’s performance sparked a fierce debate online
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“Sir Rod Stewart isn’t looking (or sounding) half bad for a man of 80! Good for him. #FestivalofRemembrance,” a fourth concurred, while a fifth also backed the star: “@rodstewart great to see your opening the British Legion Festival of Remembrance.”
Meanwhile, a sixth simply put: “Great to see in 2025 Rod Stewart still doing so well… #FestivalOfRemembrance.” (sic)