STAR STRUCK 

Celtic skipper Brown admits he was shocked when ‘hero’ Rod Stewart introduced himself

SOME guys have all the luck.

Scott Brown told himself that the first time he clapped eyes on Rod Stewart at a Celtic match when the legendary singer tapped him on the shoulder and introduced himself.

The starstruck Celtic skipper grew up listening to his mum and dad’s LP records of the music megastar.

Broony was wide-eyed and in awe when he met Celts-daft Rod.

But the reaction he got still makes him laugh now as he thinks back over his time at the club and brings out a DVD on his Hoops career.

Brown smiled and said: “The best story I’ve got about Rod is when we were playing an away game in Europe and I was injured or suspended.

“Rod was sitting behind us and I was walking in with the lads.

“I sat down a wee bit shocked. I didn’t want to be the one to say, ‘Rod, any chance of a selfie?’.

“But instead he tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘Brownie, I’m Rod Stewart,’ you know, just in case I didn’t know! I felt like saying, ‘You’re my hero”.

“It’s just stuff like that you never thought would happen.

“Growing up, with my mum and dad listening to Rod Stewart, now I was getting the opportunity to meet him. I have met him loads of times at the park and he is a great guy.

“We went down to his house with Gordon Strachan and we met him there.

“We didn’t see him for a few years. He went to the games, but we never really bumped into him and he probably forgot I knew who he was at the time.

“But it’s great when people like Rod Stewart come up to you and know who you are, rather than the other way around.”

ROB & ROD SHOW 

Robbie Williams and Sir Rod Stewart are performing a duet at the Royal Variety Show

Robbie won’t be alone however, as he’s called upon Sir Rod Stewart and Jamie Cullum to appear alongside him, after enlisting them to sing on his new record, The Christmas Present.

The source added: “Robbie’s so proud of his tracks with Rod and Jamie, so to have them performing with him is going to make the night extra special.

“As well as singing a duet with Robbie, Rod is also going to be singing one of his own songs from his new album, You’re In My Heart.”

Rod Stewart Releases A New Recording Of ‘It Takes Two’ Featuring Robbie Williams

Ahead of his highly anticipated UK winter arena tour, Rod Stewart has today released a special new recording of ‘It Takes Two’ featuring pop legend Robbie Williams, taken from his upcoming new album ‘You’re In My Heart: Rod Stewart With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’ – out November 22nd from Rhino.

Produced by Trevor Horn, the track features a roaring guitar intro, stunning horn section and an exceptional vocal dynamic between both Rod & Robbie. The new recording presents itself as a hugely fun reinvention, breathing exciting new life into what is already a legendary song.

Rod Stewart has hit the jackpot by becoming the highest paid Las Vegas entertainer of the decade, it’s been revealed.

The rock legend outstripped the financial clout of US superstars such as Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey combined.

Rod picks up a staggering $2,700,000 (£2.1 million) for each of his concerts at Sin City’s Caesars Palace casino.

His Rod Stewart: The Hits in Vegas shows have attracted over 500,000 people in seven years.

The bumper fee means Rod earns £190,000-per-minute for his time onstage in the city that never sleeps.

But despite having only recently been given the all-clear after a prostate cancer diagnosis, in 2007, the singer has joked that he can’t afford to retire because he has “too many kids” to pay for.

Speaking about his performances at Caesars Palace, Rod said: “I’ve been doing it now for seven years and I thoroughly enjoy it. It’s so intimate, there’s not a bad seat in the house.

"The sound’s amazing and it’s wonderful. I want to keep playing there forever.

“I get lots of Celtic fans in the front with their shirts on. But don’t mention retirement. I’ve too many kids.”

The Maggie May singer signed a $50 million contract for 18 shows in the casino’s Colosseum venue in 2012 and has been packing out his shows ever since with hits such as Maggie May and Do Ya Think I’m Sexy.

Rod Stewart speaks out on retirement after opening up on cancer diagnosis

SIR ROD STEWART dismissed the idea of retiring as he opened up on his busy tour schedule and upcoming return to Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas after revealing his previous cancer diagnosis and recovery.

Rod Stewart insisted he had no plans to slow down any time soon during an interview on BBC Radio 2 with Ken Bruce this morning.

In the midst of a discussion about his upcoming tour and new album, Bruce asked the Maggie May singer: “There’s no sign of slowing up, stopping, anything at all?”

“Don’t you mention that word ‘retirement’!” Stewart exclaimed, chuckling.

“I tried to avoid the R word…” Bruce admitted.

“Too many kids,” the singer replied, laughing.

“I’ve got a wonderful life,” he added.

Speaking about his performances at Caesar’s Palace, Stewart continued: “I’ve been doing it now for seven years and I thoroughly enjoy it.

“It’s so intimate, there’s not a bad seat in the house. The sound’s amazing and it’s wonderful. I want to keep paling there forever.

“I get lots of Celtic fans in the front with their shirts on,” the football fan added.

Next month, the star is set to release his new album, You’re In My Heart with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

“It wasn’t my idea, it was the record company’s idea,” he said of the orchestral album.

“I was sort of dead against it, I [could’t] imagine Stay With Me but with strings… but it actually worked. 

“It emphasises the tender points of the ballads. I don’t know any other way to put it but it works,” he added.

The album features a number of Stewart’s biggest hits plus two new tracks, including a duet with Robbie Williams, It Takes Two.

“We’re gonna have the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra three nights at the O2 in the build up to Christmas,” he revealed during the interview. “It’s going to be very jolly.

Stewart is also touring the rest of the UK starting next month.

Rod Stewart hails Celtic AND Rangers as Hoops-daft rocker calls the Hotline

When someone phones the Hotline from safari in Tanzania's Serngenti, you reckon something special's going on.

When that someone happens to be Rod Stewart , SIR Rod Stewart , you have Reason To Believe something REALLY special's going on.

The guy who sang: 'I Don't Want To Talk About It,' decided that he did want to talk about both halves of the Old Firm's superb European results on Thursday night.

And while it short and sweet - maybe he was stopped for a minute at a zebra crossing - the familiar voice rasped: "Forget the great divide for just a moment. This was a wonderful night for Scottish football. Well done the Gers and well done the Celts ."

'CARING MAN' 

Rod Stewart shares love of Celtic in east Africa as he gifts Hoops flags to schoolchildren

The iconic rocker posed for a pic with a group of youngsters as they displayed the flag outdoors.

The music legend posted the snap on Instagram, and wrote: “I left a small piece of Celtic behind in the East of Africa.

“Such wonderful children.”

Penny Lancaster, 48, shares stunning pictures from family holiday to Tanzania with husband Rod Stewart, 74, as they spend time with local tribe

Penny Lancaster and Rod Stewart have embarked upon the holiday of a lifetime in Tanzania.

The former model, 48, and the 74-year-old singer have been exploring the Serengeti from the comfort of the luxurious Mwiba Lodge, set in a private 51,000-acre wildlife reserve.

The couple shared a number of pictures via Penny's Instagram account, showing the whole family - including sons Aiden, eight, and Alastair, 13 - immersing themselves in local customs, as well as making the most of the exclusive setting.

The five star lodge gives guests the opportunity to see wildlife as well as cultural experiences, giving you access to four different Tanzanian tribal communities.

Luxury accommodation: The five star lodge gives guests the opportunity to see wildlife as well as cultural experiences, giving you access to four different Tanzanian tribal communities

ROD AXES HITS 

Sir Rod Stewart has dropped some of his biggest hits from gigs as he fears offending the #MeToo movement

The rocker, 74, is toning down the setlists for some of his lucrative private and corporate performances.

Among the hits getting the boot from his shows are Hot Legs, Do Ya Think I’m Sexy and Tonight’s the Night.

A source told The Sun on Sunday: “Back in the day, Rod was obviously a bit of a rogue and quite the ladies’ man.

“Songs and lyrics penned in the 1970s and 1980s, when attitudes to sex and courting were very different, do not reflect how he feels today.

"But just as the times have changed, so has Rod.

Watch: Emotional Grace Rendition With Rod Stewart And Celtic Fans In The US

Some Celtic fans have been stateside for the past week for a variety of events by the Celtic FC Foundation to raise money. With many different events to raise money, Rod Stewart managed to raise $25,000 with an offer of his Meet-and-Greet package as he also joined in a sing-song from the stage and floor with fans.

In total, the foundation raised an amazing $300,000 with their now annual event in Manhatten which raised $200,000 last year.

Watch as the Celtic rocker joins Celtic fans from the floor as opposed to the stage for a rendition of Grace.

Rod made up a list that had Celtic manager, Neil Lennon, Fergus McCann and former Celtic midfielder Gary Mackay-Steven. Last nights event was for private members and was attended by just under 300 people.

Money raised goes into “the Summer Games project” that will operate in Glasgow, Ireland and New York. The project targets young people living in socio-economic disadvantage.

AMERICAN DREAM 

Neil Lennon and Rod Stewart help Celtic raise £240k in one night for charity

NEIL LENNON and Rod Stewart helped Celtic raise almost £240k for charity in just one night.

The Hoops heroes were in Manhattan for the Celtic FC Foundation's second New York Gala Dinner.

Fergus McCann and former Celt, now New York City player, Gary Mackay-Steven were also in attendance.

The event was held in a private members' club in the city and was attended by 270 guests including businesses, individuals and representatives from the local Celtic supporters' clubs.

Funds raised through the event will help the Summer Games' project, in Glasgow, Ireland and New York.

The project will provide three nutritious meals a day, plus healthy activities for children and young people who are among the most vulnerable during school holidays.

Guests were shown a video of where the money raised would go and the impact it could have before tributes were paid to Celtic legends Billy McNeill and Stevie Chalmers.

A live auction was then held with prizes ranging from a Rod Stewart meet-and-greet, VIP experiences at the SuperBowl and golf packages donated by Fegus McCann and Roger Marment.

Rod Stewart upped the donation amount for his meet-and-greet as he performed a medley of his greatest hits during bidding, as £20k was the winning bid for that prize alone.

GET IT DONE Rod Stewart urges men to get a "finger up the bum" and check for prostrate cancer after beating the disease

And he has pleaded with blokes over 50 to get checked as his tearful wife Penny Lancaster appeared on STV’s Loose Women.

Speaking from New York on a Celtic-themed bed, the rocker said: “Just a few words about prostate cancer that I’ve just been given the OK.

“Guys, please, get down to the doctors and get tested.

Rod, 74, recently revealed that he has successfully beaten the potentially fatal disease.

Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan will present the Royal Variety Performance as the first comedic two-hander in over 30 years.

This year’s edition of the annual event, the world’s longest running entertainment show, will be held at the London Palladium on November 18, in the presence of members of the Royal Family.

They will be joined by Sir Rod Stewart for his third performance at the event.

The Maggie May singer tops a star-studded line-up that also includes Lewis Capaldi and Mabel, Hollywood star Luke Evans, comedy act Flo and Joan and a performance from the Tony and Olivier-award winning musical Come From Away.

Rod Stewart’s wife Penny Lancaster breaks down in tears recalling his prostate cancer battle

Rod Stewart’s wife Penny Lancaster broke down in tears opening up about his cancer battle.

The 48-year-old appeared on Loose Women where she discussed the Maggie May singer’s health issues, after he underwent a secret battle with prostate cancer.

Speaking about the ordeal, she told the ITV panellists he had a string of tests before they were given the tragic news.

‘We got the shock news that it was cancer,’ she said. ‘We looked at the different ways of dealing with it, one was to have the gland removed, another was chemotherapy, radiation therapy.’

When asked if it was quite aggressive, she continued: ‘It was. A lot of these cancers can be living within you for many, many years and grow quite slowly, but with Rod, it was an aggressive one.

‘Instead of remaining in the gland, it left the gland and travelled to the outside tissues. So that was another scary moment where we had to have more invasive tests and scans to see if it was anywhere else in his body, which was the most frightening test of all.’

Tearing up, she told the ITV panellists: ‘But it hadn’t [gone anywhere].

Grabbing tissues, she said: ‘It was obvious I was going to get upset, it’s emotional. We kept it quiet for two-and-a-half-years now, but the positive news is we caught it early enough.’

Rod Stewart, 74, looks sharp in a black leopard print blazer as he enjoys dinner with his children Sean, 39, and Kimberly, 40... after surprising a couple at their Las Vegas wedding

He delighted a pair of Las Vegas newlyweds on Wednesday with a surprise appearance at their big day.

But Rod Stewart enjoyed a more relaxed outing on Thursday, as he enjoyed dinner with his son Sean, 39, and daughter Kimberly, 40, in Los Angeles.

The music legend, 74, looked suave in a leopard print blazer as he headed out with his family following the surprise appearance in Vegas at the wedding of a British couple.

The Baby Jane hitmaker stepped out with two of his older children as he enjoyed the low-key US outing.

Kimberly also flaunted her slender figure in a tight black satin jumpsuit and added a cheeky pop of colour with a statement red lip. 

Family outing: The music legend was joined by his son Sean, 39, (pictured here far right) and his daughter Kimberly, 40 (second right)

Rod Stewart EXCLUSIVE: 'He made it our dream wedding': Rocker surprises British couple by performing at their Vegas wedding after ceremony was nearly cancelled by Thomas Cook bankruptcy

• Sir Rod, 74, surprised a British couple at their Las Vegas nuptials on Wednesday
•  Sharon Cook and Andrew Aitchison told MailOnline that the wedding had been 'a dream'
• The Liverpudlian couple were nearly forced to cancel their wedding abroad after the airline they had booked with went bust
•  Thomas Cook ceased trading on September 23, disrupting the travel plans of thousands of customers 

Speaking to MailOnline on his wedding day, groom Andrew revealed: 'It was the dream wedding day!' 

Taking to Twitter, he added: 'So @rodstewart just turned up at our wedding and sang to my wife! I can’t believe what has happened in the last week and this has just topped it off. 

'Thank you Rod you’ve absolutely made our dream wedding you absolute legend. We Can’t wait to see you Friday #LikeACaesar #SirRod'.  

The couple had planned to travel to the States with global travel group Thomas Cook, having spent £9,000 on flights, but when the company went bankrupt, their plans were thrown into chaos. 

Faced with the prospect of having their nuptials cancelled, the pair contacted  Caesars Palace for help, who were able to sort an arrangement with American airline, Delta. 

'Thank you Rod you’ve absolutely made our dream wedding you absolute legend. We Can’t wait to see you Friday #LikeACaesar #SirRod'.  

The couple had planned to travel to the States with global travel group Thomas Cook, having spent £9,000 on flights, but when the company went bankrupt, their plans were thrown into chaos. 

Faced with the prospect of having their nuptials cancelled, the pair contacted  Caesars Palace for help, who were able to sort an arrangement with American airline, Delta.