Rod Stewart slammed for 'inappropriate' performance during Festival of Remembrance

Sir Rod Stewart opened this year's Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at London's Royal Albert Hall - but his energetic moves left some viewers less than impressed. The 79-year-old music legend kicked off the annual event, which was attended by senior royals and military veterans, with a lively rendition that divided audiences at home. While the night was meant to honour the nation's fallen heroes, some fans claimed his hip gyrations were "not exactly in the spirit of remembrance."

One unimpressed viewer posted on X (formerly Twitter): "Because Rod Stewart gyrating his hips is how we all want to pay tribute to the fallen." Another wrote: "Rod Stewart's really going for it but i'm not sure those hip gyrations are exactly in the spirit of remembrance" and "is this appropriate??" Others mocked his appearance, with one joking: "Rod Stewart looks like a Temu Barry Manilow," while another quipped: "Yer auld Auntie Senga has got drunk and wandered on stage at #RoyalBritishLegion #FestivalOfRemembrance."

A third quipped: "Only the @BBC could screw up the Service of Remembrance. Come on Rod Stewart?"

Still, many defended the veteran singer, pointing out that he's spent decades entertaining troops and supporting military charities.

Stewart previously performed at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and has long been involved in charity work for the armed forces. Rod returned a second time to perform his hit song, Sailing.

The night, hosted at the Royal Albert Hall by Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham, also featured performances by Sam Ryder, Keala Settle, Blessing Offor and The Wellermen, with stirring displays from the Central Band of the RAF and Royal Marines Band Service.

This year's Festival of Remembrance marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and reflected on the courage of those who fought - as well as the strength of military families and the progress made since the ban on LGBT service members was lifted 25 years ago.

Fans praised the entire production, gushing online: "The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance is always so beautifully put together. An incredible tribute to those who serve & have served our country."

Others gave a nod to the sacrifices being honoured while taking aim at the state of Britain's borders. One viewer wrote: "In the year that our government admitted that they have lost control of our border, it makes the #festivalofremembrance more poignant than ever. Let us pray we don't see the day when we admit they all died in vain."

Others were left emotional watching the annual tribute, with one fan admitting: "10 minutes in and I'm already in tears." Another wrote: "Imagine not seeing your baby until it was 9 months old. It's incomprehensible. We owe these men and women so much."

Hannah Waddingham was praised for her "simply superb" presenting and "stunning" singing voice as she's performed "we'll meet again".