Penny Lancaster on Gregg Wallace facing “justice” – and why husband Rod Stewart will never retire

by

Photographer and Loose Women guest panellist Penny Lancaster shares that she’s always dreamed of creating her own nature show, given her passion for the outdoors. Her home, located on the border of Hertfordshire and Essex, boasts a beautiful garden filled with established oak trees and carefully shaped topiary. She explains that she and her husband, music icon Sir Rod Stewart, are enthusiastic about nature and enjoy connecting with trees (“It’s really grounding”).

In addition to three other luxurious homes – located in Los Angeles, Florida, and France – the couple owns a unique houseboat. Bluebell – a vibrant blue narrowboat – was a 50th birthday present from Stewart to Lancaster, who is now 54. Lancaster became fascinated with canal boating during their daily walks along the river during lockdown. “We often saw these gorgeous narrow boats,” she says, “and I realized it offered a slower pace of life. They travel at just five miles per hour, surrounded by nature. I mentioned to my mother that I’d love to have one, so she playfully suggested, ‘Hint hint, Rod.’Bluebell is now a cherished part of their lifestyle.

Bluebell offers a peaceful escape when “life gets fast”, but it also led to a close call. “We have a bedroom at the front, and once Rod was lying in it with the doors open while I was elsewhere. I suddenly realized what was happening and shouted, ‘Oh darling, watch out!’. We collided with the riverbank, and a willow tree ended up inside the bedroom,” Lancaster remembers. “Rod was actually lying there with a tree on top of him!”

The couple began dating in 1999 and tied the knot eight years later in Portofino, Italy. Even after eighteen years of marriage, they still enjoy surprising each other. “I once blocked a doorway and put a bookcase in front of it,” explains Lancaster. “Then it became a game of him trying to figure out what I’d done!” Or he’ll tell me, ‘Go look in there’ – and I’ll discover a new painting or sculpture in the room.”

Alongside all the luxury, excitement, and riches, she dedicates her time to helping others. Every Thursday, the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant works a night shift with the City of London Police. She began volunteering as a Special Constable in 2021, inspired by her experience on the Channel 4 show Famous and Fighting Crime in 2019. She’s served at important national events, such as the funeral of Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles. She’s also made two arrests, which she found both stressful and significant. “It feels like successfully completing a test,” she says.

In her new memoir, Someone Like Me, Lancaster explains that “you only truly discover yourself when you’re forced out of your comfort zone”. She confirms that her work in policing has made her stronger, especially in helping her come to terms with two past experiences of sexual violence. When she was 17, a fashion designer allegedly drugged her drink, and she woke up during an assault while he was on top of her. Five years before that, a stranger sexually assaulted her in a pedestrian underpass on her way to school. Sadly, the men responsible for either attack were never caught.

That’s a key reason why I decided to become a special constable. I’m experiencing a sense of justice, but it’s on behalf of others, people who share similar backgrounds to me – which is where the book’s title comes from.

When his wife is on duty, Stewart has just two requests: a text message at the end of her shift to make sure she’s back at the police station safely, and a ride home – he never wants her taking the last train. However, Lancaster admits, “When he’s not around, I do take the train home,” she says with a playful smile.

Stewart stated that Lancaster was bullied by Gregg Wallace, describing him as a “tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully” who “humiliated” her during her appearance on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021. Lancaster subsequently participated in an investigation that confirmed 45 of the 83 claims of wrongdoing against Wallace, ultimately leading to his removal from the BBC cooking program. “That was a refreshing piece of justice,” Lancaster commented.

She’s speaking from a sunlounger at her and Sir Rod’s home in Palm Beach, just as he’s about to head to the beach for a short while before leaving for a show in North Carolina. Soon, Penny Lancaster will be traveling as well – to Los Angeles to spend time with their sons, Alastair, 19, and Aiden, 14, and to meet their newest grandchild, Kimberly Stewart’s baby boy. (“He’s absolutely adorable, and Kim is doing wonderfully!”, she exclaims.)

In addition to his sons with Penny Lancaster, Rod Stewart also has Kimberly, 45, and Sean, 44 – his children from his first marriage to actress Alana Stewart. He shares Renée, 32, and Liam, 30, with his second wife, model Rachel Hunter, and has another daughter, Ruby, 37, from his relationship with model Kelly Emberg. Rod became a father to his oldest child, Sarah Streeter, 61, when he was 18, and she was later put up for adoption. “We’re already planning Christmas because it’s complicated to coordinate everyone’s schedules,” says Lancaster. “It’s really difficult to get the whole family together.”

Stewart has a lot on his plate right now, creating two new albums, writing a book, and organizing another tour following his performance at Glastonbury this summer. However, at 80 years old – and after recovering from the flu in June which caused him to cancel some US tour dates – should the other half of Lancaster prioritize his well-being and slow down? “Keeping busy is looking after his health, because it’s what gives him happiness and makes him who he is,” she explains. “If he stopped working, it would be detrimental. His body wouldn’t function properly.”

Read More

2025-09-29 23:35