Ronnie Wood has admitted he'll 'miss' his Rolling Stones bandmate Charlie Watts after he was forced to pull out of the group's US tour.
The rock legend, 74, insisted he's been told 'the show must go on' after drummer Charlie withdrew from the group's upcoming performances following an emergency operation.
Speaking to The Mirror, Ronnie said: 'I will miss Charlie on our upcoming tour, but he told me the show must go on.
It's a shame: Ronnie Wood, 74, has admitted he'll 'miss' his Rolling Stones bandmate Charlie Watts after he was forced to pull out of the group's US tour
'I'm really looking forward to Charlie getting back on stage with us as soon as he's fully recovered. A huge thank you to the band's old friend Steve Jordan for rockin' on in Charlie's place.'
His bandmate Keith Richards, 77, added: 'This has been a bit of a blow to all of us, to say the least, and we’re all wishing for Charlie to have a speedy recovery.'
On Thursday it was revealed that Charlie had been forced to withdraw from the band's tour of the US after having an emergency operation.
On hold: The rock legend insisted he's been told 'the show must go on' after drummer Charlie withdrew from the group's upcoming performances following an emergency operation
The star underwent a 'successful procedure' in London after a routine check-up highlighted a problem, according to reports.
But on the advice of doctors, Watts announced he would sit out the band's shows for 'rest and recuperation' - the first time he has missed a tour since 1963.
Clearly still in good spirits, he joked: 'For once, my timing has been a little off.'
But faced with several weeks of recovery, there is no prospect of Watts being able to make rehearsals for the Stones' 13-date No Filter tour of the states, which is due to kick off in September.
A spokesman for the band described the situation as 'disappointing to say the least' but admitted 'it's also fair to say no one saw this coming'.
Watts, who learnt drum along to old jazz records, will be temporarily replaced by session drummer and long-time friend of the band Steve Jordan.
According to the Sun, the band hope to have him back for their 60th anniversary celebrations in 2022, when they will release their first album of original songs in 17 years.
Pushed: The Rolling Stones' had already postponed their tour last year because of the Covid pandemic. Pictured from left: Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts
Watts added: 'I am working hard to get fully fit but I have today accepted on the advice of the experts that this will take a while.
'After all the disappointment with delays to the tour caused by Covid, I really don't want the many Stones fans in the States who have been holding tickets to have another postponement or cancellation.
'I have therefore asked my great friend Steve Jordan to stand in for me.'
Steve Jordan said: 'It is an absolute honour and a privilege to be Charlie's understudy and I am looking forward to rehearsing with Mick (Jagger), Keith (Richards) and Ronnie (Wood).
'No one will be happier than me to give up my seat on the drum-riser as soon as Charlie tells me he is good to go.'
On the mend: Watts says he hopes to be back with the band soon and especially for
