Rod Stewart’s ‘awful’ Royal Variety Performance slammed by viewers

Watch: See Rod Stewart's Royal Variety Performance

Rod Stewart's Royal Variety Performance appearance has been panned by viewers who called it "awful" and "embarrassing".

The 76-year-old rocker took to the stage to sing new single One More Time in front of Prince William and Kate Middleton at the prestigious annual show, but those watching at home said they were cringing at the performance.

Although the show took place in November, it was first shown on ITV on Sunday evening but Stewart's routine did not go down well with many.

One viewer tweeted: "Rod Stewart on Royal Variety Performance, simply awful."

Read more: Rod Stewart said Penny Lancaster 'wasn't the person I married' during menopause

Someone else shared: "My mother has just paused the Royal Variety, and come upstairs to tell me how embarrassing Rod Stewart was."

Another viewer wrote: "Not sure why the royal variety performance is on our TV but it is just seen Rod Stewart was like someone's nan doing bad karaoke."

Someone else tweeted: "Rod Stewart on the Royal Variety Performance ….oh dear “One more time baby” I think you need to make it the last time."

The veteran performer took to the stage dressed in his trademark leopard print and backed by a group of all-female dancers and backing singers, which some compared to Bill Nighy's character in festive hit Love Actually.

One person tweeted: "Rod Stewart unironically recreating a scene from Love Actually on the Royal Variety Show."

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Someone else commented: "Rod Stewart sounds like that old boy down the boozer singing karaoke who’s smoking 60 benson a day."

Another person wrote: "Anyone else just had third party embarrassment watching Rod Stewart? Please call it a day Rod, please."

And someone else added: "Rod Stewart....I literally have no words for that performance #RoyalVarietyPerformance."

However, Stewart still had some loyal fans who didn't slate his performance.

One tweeted: "How I love Rod Stewart on the Royal Variety, he’s rocking the leopard print with his chicks."

Another added: "Rod Stewart just saved Christmas with his Royal Variety Performance."

Over the weekend, Stewart and his son Sean, 41, pleaded guilty to a battery charge after an altercation with a security guard at a Florida hotel on New Year's Eve 2019.

“No one was injured in the incident and a jury did not find Sir Rod Stewart guilty of the accusation,” Stewart’s attorney Guy Fronstin said in a statement.

“Instead, Sir Rod Stewart decided to enter a plea to avoid the inconvenience and unnecessary burden on the court and the public that a high profile proceeding would cause.”

Watch: Rod Stewart bans anyone who isn't triple-vaccinated from attending his Christmas party