Rick Parfitt is terrified he might "drop dead" on stage.
The 67-year-old rocker suffered his third heart attack and spent several days in a coma after a gig in Turkey in June and he will be unable to join Status Quo’s final rock tour, which begins next month, after being ordered to rest by doctors.
And Rick – who, along with bandmate Francis Rossi, had previously announced the group will only play less demanding acoustic shows in future – has admitted he is wary of ever returning to the stage at all.
He told Sky News: "I’m just aware of the nervousness I get before I go on stage. It does pump your heart slightly when you start to pace up and down the room, and you’re about to go in front of thousands of people. Obviously it’s going to have some effect on you.
"I do not want to tax myself in any way. I’ve been told medically not to. So whether it’s a full gig or a cameo I’d still get fairly nervous and I do not want to get out on stage and drop dead in front of the fans. I do not want to do that."
The ‘Whatever You Want’ hitmaker has apologised to his fans for missing the tour because his "rock and roll lifestyle" has finally caught up with him.
He admitted: "I’ve got to apologise to the fans really because it’s my fault. You live the rock and roll lifestyle and at some stage you’ve got to pay for it. And I’m now paying for it. So it’s my fault that I’m not with the band now."
Rick admits his latest heart attack has been a "reality check" and he’s now quit drinking and smoking.
If he is unable to cope with the demands of touring with Status Quo, the veteran musician is planning to launch a less gruelling solo career.
Rick Parfitt fears stage return
