Veteran rocker Rod Stewart was forced to pull out of a the Silver Clef music awards in London after injuring his leg on-stage. The newly-wed was due to attend the ceremony at the Regent's Park Hilton in London to collect its inaugural Icon award on Friday.

But the Maggie May hitmaker was forced to cancel after injuring his leg in a freak accident at a rain-soaked gig in Manchester on Thursday night that left him requiring 10 stitches.

A spokeswoman for the singer says, "Rod Stewart was unable to attend the Nordoff-Robbins Silver Clef lunch to receive his Icon award after cutting his leg on a wet, slippery metal step while making his entrance on stage last night.

"He performed the entire show in the rain, refusing any medical treatment, and today received 10 stitches to the wound."

His spokesman added he would still appear at this weekend's Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium.

The Clef Luncheon raises money for the Nordoff-Robins Music Therapy charity, a group that uses music to improve the lives of impaired children and adults.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)