Customers and staff at a Melbourn restaurant had a special Valentine’s Day surprise in the form of rock legend Rod Stewart when he popped in for a coffee and a sandwich before watching the village youth team play football on Sunday.
The crooner, known for romantic hits such as Sailing and This Old Heart of Mine, arrived at The Sheene Mill by style in his privately driven Mercedes, before settling in for a coffee and a natter.
Rod has a bit of a love affair with the village – manager Serena Saunders said he used to be a regular at her parents’ restaurant the Pink Geranium when it was still open, and asked after the pair when he visited at the weekend.
She said: “Rod sat down and had a coffee, and spoke to quite a few members of staff. He was really chatty, and asked a few questions about the place. He’s very polite and very nice.”
Rod ate a bacon and egg sandwich before ordering a second coffee, which he took away with him in a glass to watch his son play football against youth team the Melbourn Dynamos.
But, ever the gent, Rod returned with the empty glass after the match and had his picture taken with members of staff.
Nicky Patel, U10s manager at the Melbourn Dynamos, said: “I was so impressed someone so famous was supporting grassroots football. He was so down to earth and was speaking to my parents – he was very complimentary of my U10s team.
“What was even more impressive was my 10-year-old boys knew who he was!
“My only regret is I didn’t ask him for a photo with my team. Hopefully when we meet them again I will get that opportunity.”
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