ROD Stewart has revealed the reason for cancelling a tour date in Australia at the last minute. 

The 78-year-old announced on social media yesterday that the show in Geelong, which is part of his The Hits! Australia Tour 2023, would not go ahead due to illness. 

He was set to perform at Mt. Duneed Estate alongside special guests Cyndi Lauper and Jon Stevens. 

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The cancellation was announced just hours before it was due to begin, with rescheduling arrangements to be made "early next week". 

Now, the rockstar has revealed he was forced to cancel the show after he was diagnosed with a viral infection. 

In a post shared on Instagram, he wrote: "I'm absolutely downhearted that I'm disappointing my fans who bought tickets to A Day On The Green. 

"Late this morning I was advised that I have a viral infection and my throat is too irritated to sing. 

"I'm only human and sometimes get sick like you do. 

"My greatest joy is performing for you, so I'm doing everything I can to get on the mend and back on stage."

Fans flooded the comments with support for the Maggie May singer. 

One person wrote: "Bless you Rod, yes you are human and you need to get well, here’s wishing you a very speedy recovery."

Another said: "Take it easy Rod. We totally understand. We all want you to be well and at your best very soon."

A third person added: "Feel better Sir Rod."

Rod Stewart is set to perform in Edinburgh Castle in the summer as part of his Global Hits Tours, with many Glaswegian fans expected to travel through to the capital.