Penny Lancaster was moved to tears upon learning a touching secret about why she and Rod Stewart were initially kept apart. The rock legend revealed that a close friend deliberately withheld her phone number from him until Rod was emotionally ready to start dating again after his painful divorce from model Rachel Hunter.
Rod opened up about how his friend Carmine Appice, a bandleader and bassist, took it upon himself to protect him during this vulnerable time. Carmine believed Rod wasn’t emotionally prepared to begin a new relationship and chose to hold back Penny’s contact information until he felt Rod had “completely recovered.”
The couple has been together for over 20 years, sharing two children. Penny, then 54, first met Rod while she was studying at Barking College and he was performing. However, it wasn’t until after Rod’s separation from Rachel Hunter—a marriage marked by emotional turmoil—that Penny and Rod’s paths crossed in a more meaningful way.
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During the BBC’s My Life At Christmas, Rod fondly recalled the story with Penny by his side. “He was an absolute gentleman, he was band leader and bass player and he kept her telephone away from me,” Rod said. He added humorously, “I should have fired him but I couldn’t!”
Penny, eyes brimming with tears, recalled, “Carmine had kept that telephone number away from him. He said, ‘You are going to go a bit crazy over the summer and let your hair down and Penny seems like a nice girl.’” She thought their encounter at Rod’s concert might be the last and treasured the photos she took as a lovely memory.
Eventually, Rod took matters into his own hands and reached out to Penny. Their romance blossomed; they welcomed their first son in 2005 and married two years later, later expanding their family with a second son in 2011.
Navigating life within a blended family wasn’t without challenges. Penny spoke openly about the delicate balance required, especially with Rod’s children from previous relationships spanning multiple ages and personalities. “I tiptoed very lightly… I thought I need to stay in the background but be present and there if they want to approach me,” she shared about building relationships with her stepchildren. Over time, they have grown close, with Rod confirming, “The kids adore her now, they look for her for advice.”
Rod’s previous marriage to Rachel Hunter ended in 1999, with Rachel admitting she had “lost her identity” and expressing regret over the pain caused. Rod revealed the emotional toll, describing how he felt physically heartbroken in the aftermath.
The emotional interview also touched on a poignant moment the couple shared in 2018 when they met Pope Francis through a charity auction. Penny described the powerful eye contact and the blessing they received, which she said “cemented all the wishes that Rod and I had for one another” and made them feel their relationship was destined.
When asked about the secret to their enduring 25-year partnership, Rod tearfully reflected on their age difference, mutual maturity, and honesty. “We do not argue before we go to bed and we do not argue after a glass of wine,” he said. “If we do have arguments, it’s over real quick.” Emphasizing the importance of humility and apology in relationships, Rod added, “I try to teach my kids, all of them, that real men say sorry. That’s what they do.”
Their heartfelt story is a testament to resilience, patience, and love, showing how understanding and compassion can overcome even the most challenging obstacles.