Sir Rod Stewart has revealed when he will retire as he approaches 80th birthday

Sir Rod Stewart has opened up about his future career plans, revealing when exactly he plans to retire.

The 79-year-old singer still gets “great pleasure” from his career, and his wife Penny Lancaster, 53, admitted he is a “workaholic” who even she has trouble keeping up with.

Stewart told Britain’s Hello magazine: “I don’t see any possibility of slowing down anytime soon.

“And as I get older, I only really want to do things that give me great pleasure.”

Lancaster – with whom Stewart has sons Alastair, 18, and 13-year-old Aiden – added: “He loves what he does so much and will never retire.

“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.”

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The Maggie May hitmaker has six other children from previous relationships and while it takes “a lot of planning” to get the whole family together, Stewart and Lancaster love seeing them all at once – though they need “diplomacy” and “understanding” to keep things running smoothly.

Lancaster said: “We like to take every opportunity to bring the family, children, and grandchildren together. Part of the family lives in America, part in England, so it requires a lot of planning, but at least two or three times a year, the whole clan comes together...

“There are the usual family ups and downs. You have to use a lot of diplomacy, be patient and understanding. In the end it’s worth it because you experience this wonderful bond that only a family can have. The epicentre of it is ultimately Rod: he’s the Rodfather.”

He said: “I used to be much more preoccupied with myself and my career. But I’ve learnt from my mistakes and am more present.”

And the Loose Women presenter credits her husband’s big family for keeping him young at heart.

She said: “I think it’s family. Especially the younger generation. They give him strength and drive.

“He’s not your average 79-year-old man. He can’t sit still and is always on the go. I like to treat myself to a facial or a massage. He can’t do that. He can’t have a massage for more than half an hour; he gets up and leaves.”

The couple met in 1999 and married in 2007, and still have a “healthy attraction” to one another.

Lancaster gushed: “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.”

- Bang! Showbiz and republished with edits and permission