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Rod Stewart apologises after “sick” execution video on Instagram

What was he thinking?

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Sir Rod Stewart has issued an apology after being accused of mimicking a Jihadi John ISIS execution video while on holiday in Abu Dhabi.

The singer has insisted that he was actually re-enacting a scene from Game Of Thrones.

The now-deleted footage was posted by wife Penny Lancaster on her Instagram account.

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Rod can be seen encouraging his male friend to kneel down on the sand before pulling back his hair, and making a throat-cutting action.

In his apology, the music legend says that he did not intend to cause offence, and his actions have been misconstrued.

The 72-year-old continued: “From re-enacting the Beatles’ Abbey Road crossing to spontaneously playing out Game of Thrones, we were simply larking about pre-show.

“Understandably this has been misinterpreted and I send my deepest apologies to those who have been offended.”

In the clip, the large group of holidaymakers can indeed be seen walking along the sand dune to mimic the infamous Beatles scene, with wife Penny at the back of the line.

When the offending clip first appeared on social media, quite a few Twitter users called it “sick”, drawing parralels with real-life desert execution videos from ISIS militants that have been released for the world to see over the years.

Rod and Penny are currently in Dubai, where the singer was performing at the Du Arena on Thursday night.

Photos shared by Loose Women panellist Penny show them both having a whale of a time.

In one, the celeb couple can be seen relaxing on a dune in matching outfits, with the caption “sandy afternoons”.

One viewer even tweeted Loose Women, which Penny sometimes appears on, to share their anger.

They said: @loosewomen I hope Penny Lancaster isn’t allowed back on Loose Women after posting that SICK video of Rod Stewart re-enacting a beheading!!”

Oh dear…

Another wrote: “Rod Stewart this is who our country gives knighthoods to…”

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Don’t worry Rod, we’re sure this is all just a sandstorm in a teacup.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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