Legendary singer Sir Rod Stewart is confirmed to perform on the Glastonbury Legend stage next weekend, despite a recent bout of illness that had caused concern among his fans. The 80-year-old 'Maggie May' icon was forced to cancel six recent concerts, including four in Nevada at Caesars Palace and two in California, due to the flu.

Sir Rod took to Instagram to inform his followers that he was under 'strict doctor's orders' to rest his voice, expressing his devastation and apologies for the inconvenience caused by the rescheduled June concerts. He reassured fans that he would be back on stage soon, and that his recovery was underway.

For those holding tickets to his much-anticipated Sunday, June 29 slot at Glastonbury, there's good news: the megastar is reportedly in top form regarding his health and fitness, overcoming his recent flu issues. Beyond his musical preparations, Sir Rod is also aiming to achieve a remarkable athletic feat.

The Celtic-daft star has been rigorously training on a race track installed in the garden of his Essex home, with the ambitious goal of breaking a world record for sprinting. He shared with AARP magazine that he has managed to bring his 100-meter time down to 19 seconds by improving his push-off technique, and is now targeting 17 seconds, which he believes would be a world record for an 80-year-old.

Sir Rod attributes his excellent physical condition to a lifelong commitment to fitness, including playing soccer for many years before a knee replacement. He has maintained a strict fitness regime with the same personal trainer for the past 38 years, utilizing his extensive home facilities which include an indoor pool, a massive gym, and a golf course.

His fitness inspiration comes partly from another legendary crooner, the late Frank Sinatra. Sir Rod revealed that Sinatra once advised him on the importance of powerful lungs for a great singer, leading him to incorporate underwater training into his routine. This involves diving into a pool, pushing a brick to the end, and holding his breath to enhance lung capacity.

Ahead of his Glastonbury performance, the father of eight also announced a special reunion with his former Faces bandmate, Ronnie Wood. Despite his enthusiasm, Sir Rod expressed some dissatisfaction with the allocated set length, telling 'That Peter Crouch Podcast' that he was only scheduled to play for an hour and a quarter on the Pyramid Stage, requesting an additional 15 minutes as he typically performs for over two hours nightly.