A city's Lord Mayor has become embroiled in a bizarre row with Rod Stewart after he was wrongly accused by the star of shutting his concert down early.
The 78-year-old had been performing at Plymouth's Home Park on Saturday evening but left before he could perform his much-loved song 'Sailing' in tribute to the city's historic naval status.
Gig-goers said just after 10.30pm the stage was plunged into darkness when a "man in black" walked onto the stage to speak to Rod - at which point the singer left and the lights came up.
Rod reportedly had told the crowd "the Lord Mayor had put a stop to it" despite the stadium having a licence until 11pm.
The early finish left fans disappointed and some took out their anger on Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Mark Shayer, who has firmly denied any involvement.
And speaking about the incident, Cllr Shayer said he has since faced a barrage of abuse from livid fans of the Scottish-rocker - despite not even being there.
He says he's been 'sworn at' in his local shop, and claims to have received calls and messages abusing him. The Mayor also claimed the first he knew of the controversy was on Sunday morning when he started receiving messages asking what happened.
He said: "I'm horrified to be implicated. To say I stopped Rod Stewart singing what is one of my favourite songs, on Armed Forces Day, it's ridiculous. I'm livid."
He described 'Sailing' as one of his favourite tunes and said he did not even attend the concert due to a clash with Armed Forces Day events. One concert goer says the rumours of the Lord Mayor's responsibility were sparked by Rod himself.
They said: "I was there - Rod Stewart said the Lord Mayor instructed the show to stop, thanks for turning up and he was gone. Before that he was called over to the side of the stage and someone spoke to him. I was in the second row so could clearly see him in a conversation. So, someone is lying one way or another."
Hundreds of comments were then posted calling for the Lord Mayor to resign. One said: "The Lord Mayor needs to go, was an absolute amazing concert and just for one more song to be played, was disgusting to treat him like that.
"Couldn't believe they came on stage and told him to stop, Plymouth will now be a joke to play at."
Another added: "It was a shame we didn't get to hear him sing Sailing. It was expected. Rod must have been fuming, even insulted, to be cut short. Typical city leaders."
Cllr Shayer is also himself a Royal Navy veteran, having served for 25 years with distinction in the submarine service. Some footage from the BBC's 1970s documentary series Sailor featuring the Lord Mayor has of his late father, who died when he was young, also features the tune.
Cllr Shayer said the footage is the only video he has of his father - giving the song special meaning to him. Although Home Park has permission for concerts to run until 11pm, it is understood that the singer was due to finish at 10.30pm.
Plymouth City Council said: "Despite social media rumours and inaccurate, unsubstantiated reports online - Plymouth City Council and Home Park did not ask Rod Stewart to stop his concert on Saturday night.
"Any allegation that the Lord Mayor asked the performer to stop are also untrue. The Lord Mayor was not at the concert. Arts and culture are very important to Plymouth City Council and an integral part of growing our local economy.
The venue had an 11pm Special Events Certificate, issued by the Safety Advisory Group, which the venue made clear to the artist's promoter.
"As with any concert, should a performer decide to end their set before the licenced curfew set out in the Special Events Certificate, it is not because of any decision made by the local authority or the venue."
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our weekly Showbiz newsletter here .
READ NEXT:
- Penny Lancaster has a 'new lease of life' after swapping modelling for police officer job
- Rod Stewart's son Sean 'in a lot of pain' after being hit by truck as he shares update
- Rod Stewart supports wife Penny Lancaster at her police passing out parade
- Rod Stewart shares picture of himself with leopard print foils in hair
- Rod Stewart's debut audition tape which helped him secure record deal up for auction
