THE ROCK STAR AND THE SPECIAL CONSTABLE SIR ROD AND LADY STEWART TALK PASSIONS, ROYAL BONDS, FAMILY GATHERINGS AND KEEPING THE ROMANCE ALIVE

His music career spans five decades, but Sir Rod Stewart is still rocking all over the world. Hot on the heels of his European tour, he is set to embark on a residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas after releasing a new album, Swing Fever, with Jools Holland in February.

- SILVIA BINGGELI

Although his 80th birthday is on the horizon and he has had cancer twice, the super-fit singer has no intention of taking it easy, as he says in this exclusive interview and photoshoot at the beautiful Essex home he shares with Lady Stewart – his wife Penny Lancaster.

“I don’t see any possibility of slowing down any time soon,” Rod insists. “And as I get older, I only really want to do things that give me great pleasure.”

Penny, 53, understands this only too well. “He loves what he does so much and will never retire,” she says. “He’s a workaholic and constantly on the move. I struggle to keep up with his training schedule. He works out three or four times a week – even on tour.”

The couple, who have been together for 25 years after meeting at a Christmas party in The Dorchester hotel’s nightclub, recently celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary and have two sons: Alastair, 18, and Aiden, 13.

Here, Sir Rod and Penny talk about keeping their extended family close, Rod’s great passions and his love for the royal family.

What makes your relationship special?

Rod: “We love life and make date nights for one another, among touring and family time.

“We listen to each other and try to resolve all our disagreements – the dirty laundry, as Penny says – right away, and before we go to bed.” Penny: “You need a healthy attraction. Rod and I can have dinner in a crowded room or just the two of us – we always have eyes for each other. There’s this look, this connection, this message without words.”

Penny, what’s it like being with a rock star? “I was 27 when we met, so not a young teenager falling in love with a rock star. It was exciting to go out with someone who was living this extraordinary life. But I quickly realised that I would always be under scrutiny. That was the hard part. I had to learn quickly how to deal with it.”