Fans were left deeply concerned when Sir Rod Stewart was forced to pause a recent concert and use an oxygen tank on stage—but his wife, Penny Lancaster, has now revealed the surprising reason behind the alarming moment.

The 81-year-old music legend, who has battled several health setbacks in recent weeks, appeared to struggle during his performance in Utah before reassuring the audience that he wanted to continue the show.

Rod Admitted He Nearly Fainted During the Concert

The frightening incident happened during Rod’s One Last Time US tour stop at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre in West Valley City on June 19.

Partway through the performance, the legendary singer became visibly short of breath and leaned against stage equipment before addressing the crowd.

“The show must go on. I nearly fainted there. Would you mind if I sit down for this one?” he told concertgoers.

After taking a short break and using an oxygen tank backstage, Rod returned to finish the performance while remaining seated, earning huge applause from fans who admired his determination.

Videos of the moment quickly spread online, with many expressing concern about the star’s health.

One fan wrote: “Getting older is sad, but I give him so much credit for still performing.”

Another commented: “Take care of yourself, Rod. You’re a legend.”

Penny Explains What Really Happened

Speaking on Loose Women, Penny Lancaster insisted there was a straightforward medical explanation behind the incident.

She revealed that Rod had only recently recovered from an acute respiratory infection that had already forced him to cancel several concerts.

“He had to cancel a couple of shows because of a respiratory infection,” Penny explained. “He was recovering and well enough to perform.”

However, there was one important factor Rod hadn’t considered before arriving in Utah.

According to Penny, Salt Lake City’s high altitude significantly reduces available oxygen, especially for people who have not had time to acclimatise.

She explained that athletes often arrive days in advance to adjust to the altitude, but Rod flew in on the day of the concert without realising how much the conditions would affect him.

Already recovering from illness, he was then faced with lower oxygen levels while delivering his energetic two-hour show.

Why Oxygen Tanks Were Already Waiting Backstage

Penny revealed that oxygen tanks are routinely available at concerts held at high-altitude venues.

She explained that even younger performers sometimes need them after travelling or performing under demanding conditions.

With Rod still regaining his strength following his respiratory infection, the combination of illness, altitude and constant movement on stage proved too much.

Despite the scare, he recovered quickly enough to complete the concert.

Even Penny Found the Moment Difficult to Watch

Although she understood what had caused the incident, Penny admitted watching her husband struggle was emotional.

She described Rod as someone who takes exceptional care of his health and fitness.

“Rod is a fitness king,” she said, adding that he remains fitter than many people decades younger than him.

That made seeing him visibly short of breath particularly upsetting.

A Difficult Few Weeks for the Rock Icon

The incident comes after Rod was forced to cancel a concert in Chula Vista, California, after doctors diagnosed him with an acute upper respiratory infection that resulted in laryngitis.

In a statement released at the time, his team said he had travelled to the venue and made every effort to perform but was advised by doctors that continuing would not be safe.

Rod later apologised directly to fans, saying he was feeling physically better after treatment but that his voice had not recovered enough for him to sing.

He promised to do everything possible to reschedule the cancelled performance.

While some later questioned his decision to attend Scotland’s World Cup match against Haiti the following day, Penny’s explanation has helped reassure many fans that the oxygen incident was linked to a unique combination of recent illness and the challenges of performing at high altitude—not a sudden medical emergency.

For now, supporters will simply be hoping the legendary performer continues to recover and can enjoy the remainder of his farewell tour in good health.