Feud breaks out over Rod Stewart’s taxes after he ventured into emergency debate over NHS backlog

A row has erupted after Sir Rod Stewart entered politics yesterday when he surprisingly called into a debate on the NHS crisis to condemn the ‘heartbreaking’ state of the health service and demand a change of government.

The rock and pop icon offered to personally pay for 10 or 20 hospital scans for NHS patients after Sky News previously heard of those facing long waits for treatment.

Many were quick to praise the 78-year-old for his generosity, calling him a “lifesaver,” while critics called him a hypocrite due to his past of tax avoidance.

The ‘Maggie May’ singer left the UK for The Angels in 1975 to avoid the 83 per cent tax on top earners – meaning he has not contributed to the NHS for nearly four decades.

Sir Rod Stewart made a surprise phone call to a Sky News debate on the NHS crisis, condemning the 'heartbreaking' state of the health service

Sir Rod Stewart made a surprise phone call to a Sky News debate on the NHS crisis, condemning the ‘heartbreaking’ state of the health service

The 78-year-old claimed it was a 'bad time' for Britain and said it was 'ridiculous' that NHS patients are 'dying because they can't get scans'

The 78-year-old claimed it was a ‘bad time’ for Britain and said it was ‘ridiculous’ that NHS patients are ‘dying because they can’t get scans’

Social media users were quick to point out that Sir Rod had left the UK to evade taxes

Social media users were quick to point out that Sir Rod had left the UK to evade taxes

Sir Rod he revealed was asked to join the program after visiting a private clinic himself yesterday it was ’empty’.

“This is ridiculous, I’d like to pay for 10 or 20 scans – I don’t know how we’re going to solve this – and hopefully more people will follow,” he said.

“Because it seems ridiculous that this particular scan clinic was empty and people are dying because they can’t get scans.

“I don’t need the publicity, I just want to do some good things and I think this is a good thing. And if other people follow me, I would love that.’

Sir Rod suggested that the current crisis in the NHS had persuaded him to change his political support.

Sir Rod was also widely praised for his generous offer to pay for hospital scans

Sir Rod was also widely praised for his generous offer to pay for hospital scans

Asked about recent strikes by NHS workers over a pay dispute, Sir Rod said: ‘I personally have been a Tory for a long time, but I think this government should step down now and the Labor Party should try.

“Because this is heartbreaking for the nurses, it’s really heartbreaking. In all my years living in this country I have never seen it this bad. Go to the nurses, I’m on your side!’

He added: ‘This is a bad time for us in Britain, really – change the goddamn government!’

The rock legend said he called into the Sky News program because he often has the TV playing in the background while he works on his model railway.

Sir Rod said he was ‘so proud to be British’ and ‘can’t stand being this way’.

Sir Rod, who has previously battled prostate cancer, told the program that he has private healthcare because he has “a few shillings.”

The NHS has been under increasing pressure in recent months, with the health services crisis prompting Sir Rod to change his political support

The NHS has been under increasing pressure in recent months, with the health services crisis prompting Sir Rod to change his political support

The singer previously hinted at his political affiliations the morning after the 2019 general election when he posted on Twitter:

The singer previously hinted at his political affiliations the morning after the 2019 general election when he posted on Twitter: “Well done Boris.”

Sir Rod (pictured celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June) said it was time to 'change the bloody government'

Sir Rod (pictured celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June) said it was time to ‘change the bloody government’

The rock legend called for the NHS to be 'rebuilt' and said he 'can't stand' seeing the country 'this way'

The rock legend called for the NHS to be ‘rebuilt’ and said he ‘can’t stand’ seeing the country ‘this way’

He called for the ‘rebuilding’ of the NHS with ‘billions and billions’ of pounds amid the current pressure on hospitals, adding: ‘That’s the only way we can get around it.’

Responding to Sir Rod’s comments this afternoon, Labor Deputy Leader Angela Rayner said: ‘I agree with Sir Rod Stewart.’

The singer has been active in supporting refugees from Ukraine over the past year, including raising a family of seven and pledging to pay their rent in October.

During a performance in November, he donned the colors of the Ukrainian flag as he belted out his anti-war hit “Rhythm of My Heart” as President Volodymyr Zelensky was projected behind him.

Sir Rod, who has six number one hits in the UK charts, had hinted at his political affiliations earlier the morning after the 2019 general election when he posted on Twitter: ‘Well done Boris.’

His tweet sparked a backlash from some fans of Celtic, the Glasgow football club of which Sir Rod has been a longtime supporter.

Ahead of the 2019 election, Sir Rod had predicted that Boris Johnson would ‘figure it out’ amid the ‘mess up’ over Brexit, although he revealed he was ‘still a Remainer’.