Sir Rod Stewart has delighted one of his biggest fans after he was forced to cancel plans to see the star in December following a devastating injury.
Broughty Ferry resident John Robertson, better known as Jake, had been planning to attend the hitmaker’s Newcastle concert with his daughter Jacqui.
But the pair have been forced to cancel after Jake was hit by a car in August, leaving him hospitalised with serious leg injuries.
Medics say the 67-year-old is likely to require care in Ninewells Hospital until at least December and faces a long recovery even once he returns home.
Fan ‘gobsmacked’ to receive card from singer
After realising her dad wouldn’t be able to see Sir Rod, Jacqui took to social media in the hope of reaching the star and asking if he could send a “get well soon” message.
Sir Rod has now sent a card to Jake after The Courier contacted his team on the family’s behalf.
After receiving the card in hospital, Jake said: “It’s taken a while to sink in but I was absolutely gobsmacked, I couldn’t believe it.
“I’m a bit gutted that I’m going to miss this one. Even if I’m going to be released from hospital in time I still don’t think I’ll manage to do the stairs in the venue.
“I didn’t even know Jacqui had arrived with a card, she kept it in her bag.
“She said that she had a bit of a surprise for me and pulled out the card. I had to take a couple of looks to see if it was actually from Rod but I just couldn’t believe it.
“What an amazing feeling.”
Jake and Jacqui have been to see Sir Rod several times and were looking forward to seeing him again on December 17.
Jacqui said: “My mum isn’t really a fan but she knows all the words to his songs because my dad has them on so often.
“We were very disappointed he wouldn’t be able to go.
“I had no idea this would go quite so far, I just posted (on Facebook) to see if people could help out.
“It’s quite emotional but it will lift his spirits and motivate him when he’s having a bad day because of what he has been through.”
The London-born singer, who is famously proud of his Scottish roots, recently announced he would be retiring from his gruelling schedule of tours.
It makes the fact Jake can’t attend the concert, possibly his last chance to see Sir Rod perform live, even more upsetting.
Jake has encourage Jacqui to still attend the concert even though he can’t, but the choice of whether to keep the tickets and attend with a friend or sell them on is leaving her conflicted.
She said: “My friend has offered to come with me, but I have real mixed feelings about going when he’s stuck in hospital.”
Dundee FC fan Jake has also received video messages from footballing heroes Gordon Strachan (above) and Rab Douglas.
Jacqui says the messages have been “invaluable” for his motivation.
She added: “Rab nailed the fact that dad is a supporter in the true sense of the word and he was emotional after watching this because it meant so much to him.”
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