Latest news with #AlastairStewart
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Farmer's suicide inspires Kelso family prevent further tragedies
In the last months of his life, Neil Stewart's family knew he wasn't in "great fettle" - but he always insisted he was fine. When the 60-year-old cattle farmer took his own life last summer, it was met with shock by the tight-knit agricultural community of the Scottish Borders. Now his widow, Caroline, is leading the family he left behind on a 100-mile memorial walk in a bid to prevent similar tragedies. It comes as new research is undertaken into the causes of the high rate of suicide among farmers in Scotland. Neil's brother Alastair is among those who will be joining the walk along the Kintyre Way to raise awareness of what has been described as farming's silent killer. "We did realise that Neil wasn't in great fettle for the last year of his life, but when you spoke to him, he'd say he was fine," he said."It [his death] was a terrible shock for all of us, as Neil was such a strong guy. "There were signs looking back, but it was not something we ever thought could have happened - and we're all still feeling his loss a year on." There are no up-to-date figures are available for the number of people working within agricultural in Scotland who have either taken, or are suspected of taking, their own Scottish and UK studies, dating back to as early as the 1980s, have suggested that farming had the highest proportion of suicides of all post-pandemic research has found that 88% of young farmers rate poor mental health as the biggest problem of working in Stewart family hope that their walk - in an area where Neil's mother grew up and he enjoyed holidays as a child - will prevent similar deaths. Alastair said: "We're going to have sore knees and ankles at the end of this walk but that is nothing compared to what so many farmers are going through every day."If we can raise awareness of the problem and convince just one person to speak to their partner, their friend or their neighbour, and get the help they need, then it will all be worth it." Although factors such as social isolation, volatile trade markets, turbulent weather and labour shortages are thought to be factors behind the alarming rate of suicides within farming, a comprehensive three-year study has just been commissioned to provide more definitive Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) and the University of Glasgow will conduct the research across McLaren, CEO of RSABI, said: "Farmers take a huge pride in the job that they do - the way they look after their animals and the way they look after their crops."What they're not so good at doing is looking after themselves."They don't typically reach out and they don't tend to open up - and that's where we get into really challenging territory." As well as RSABI, organisations such as Breathing Space, the Samaritans, the Scottish Association of Mental Health, and Support in Mind Scotland offer free and confidential recent reports suggest there has been a gradual increase in the number of agricultural workers who are picking up the phone or going online for added: "There is help out there and the good news is that more people are now reaching out to organisations such as RSABI."We are hearing more and more from farmers and retired farmers." For more information and support on mental health in agriculture, visit BBC Action Line.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rod Stewart, 80, looks jubilant as he watches beloved Celtic lift league trophy in Glasgow with his son Alastair, 19
Rod Steward seemed in good spirits as he and his son Alastair were pictured in the stands at Celtic Park on Saturday. The rock star, 80, was in attendance to watch his beloved Celtic lift the Scottish Premiership trophy on the final day of the season in Glasgow. Rod certainly dressed up for the occasion, with the icon sporting a suave black and white tux and an undone tie as he was pictured making time for fans before kick-off. With his blonde hair styled in his trademark messy style, the Scotsman wore a white shirt half unbuttoned which he tucked into a pair of grey slacks. Rod watched the match with his rarely-seen son Alastair, 19, and the pair looked elated to be enjoying the moment together. The father and son duo were snapped belting out songs pre-match as the atmosphere was building at the historic Celtic Park. Rod and Alastair will have undoubtedly left the game in as good of a mood as when they arrived after a last-minute James Forrest goal earnt a draw for the champions - who lifted the league trophy in the Scottish sunshine after the game. The pair's appearance together on Saturday comes weeks after Alastair announced a significant change in career direction. Speaking to the Daily Mail at the premiere of David Attenborough's Ocean in early May, the 19-year-old said: 'I was attending that fashion college but I've left now. 'I'm in a bit of a transitional period at the moment. I'm trying to get into the film industry and I want to follow my passion. 'I've made a few short plays, I write a lot of scripts and I write a lot of screenplays.' Earlier this week, Alastair, who father-of-eight Rod shares with wife Penny Lancaster, 54, attended the premiere of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning in Leicester Square with his father. Rod put on an animated display on the red carpet upon the family's arrival but appeared weary as he was leaving the venue on Thursday. The 80-year-old was seen staring straight ahead and was no doubt looking forward to some rest as he was led to his car following the eventful night out. In contrast, Penny looked full of beans as she delightedly clutched her Mission: Impossible collectors popcorn tin while climbing into their waiting car. The Maggie May hitmaker has eight children with five different women, two of whom are sons Alastair, 19, and Aidan, 14, which he raises with third wife Penny. Rod also has Liam, 30, and Renee, 32, with his second wife, model Rachel Hunter, 55, while Kimberly, 45, and Sean, 44, are from his first marriage to actress Alana Stewart, 79. Daughter Ruby, 37, is from a former relationship with model Kelly Emberg, 65 and Rod's firstborn child is Sarah Streeter, 61, who was raised by her adoptive parents Gerald and Evelyn Thubron.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sir Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster share a sweet glimpse into their 'wonderful and romantic' weekend away in Lake Como
Sir Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster have shared a sweet glimpse into their romantic weekend away in Lake Como. The singer-songwriter, 80, and the model, 54, have have been married since 2007 and have two children together, Alastair, 19, and Aiden, 14. And amid their busy lives, Penny took to Instagram on Tuesday to share that they ahd managed to steal away to Italy for the weekend. Taking a trip to the hotel Villa d'Este in the stunning Lake Como, Penny and Sir Road enjoyed sunny boat rides and Al Fresco dinners. Penny looked effortlessly chic in a sweet boat snap as she sported a pair of black tailored trousers and a tiger print blouse with her blonde locks in natural waves, with her legs draped over her dapper husband's knee. And in another snap, the pair embraced outside with Rod's flashy white embellished blazer on display. Penny captioned the snap: 'One of the most wonderful, romantic, long weekend get aways. 'So appreciative the opportunities we get to spend quality time together in our busy lives. @sirrodstewart #tour.' Their sweet display comes days after it was revealed their son Alistair had dropped out of fashion school to pursue a career in film. Sir Rod always tipped his teenage son Alastair to play a younger version of himself if a Hollywood film were ever made about his very colourful life. 'There's a remarkable similarity,' the singer remarked. And maybe Alastair could be up for the challenge amid his career change. Last autumn, he embarked on a three-year degree course in fashion design, entrepreneurship and branding at the JCA London Fashion Academy. 'I was attending that fashion college, but I've left now,' he tells me at the world premiere of Ocean with Sir David Attenborough. Penny captioned the snap: 'One of the most wonderful, romantic, long weekend get aways. So appreciative the opportunities we get to spend quality time together in our busy lives' 'I'm in a bit of a transitional period at the moment. 'I'm trying to get into the film industry, and I want to follow my passion.' Alastair, who attended the screening at Royal Festival Hall in London with his mother Penny Lancaster, 54, added: 'I want to be behind the camera, that's my real passion. 'I've made a few short plays, I write a lot of scripts, and I write a lot of screenplays.' Rod's, 80, wife Penny recently opened up on the trials and tribulations of navigating a blended family with her husband's other children. The Maggie May hitmaker has eight children with five different women, two of whom are sons Alastair and Aidan, 14, who he welcomed with his third wife Penny. Rod also has Liam, 30, and Renee, 32, with his second wife, model Rachel Hunter, 55, while Kimberly, 45, and Sean, 44, are from his first marriage to actress Alana Stewart, 79. He has another daughter Ruby, 37, from a former relationship with model Kelly Emberg, 65 and Rod's firstborn child is Sarah Streeter, 61, who was raised by her adoptive parents Gerald and Evelyn Thubron. Discussing the subject of blended families on the Loose Women podcast with Coleen Nolan, 60, Penny reflected on entering Rod's life when his children Liam and Renee were young, revealing how 'difficult' it must've been for them having another woman in their lives following their parents' divorce. They were speaking in response to a caller who admitted that she didn't want her ex-husband to take their children on holiday with his partner and their children. Sharing her own experiences of becoming a stepmother, Penny explained: 'There's five mothers, so it's a bit blended', later adding: 'I really did take into account what it must be like for the mother when I was around Rod [Stewart's] children. 'Liam and Renee, Liam was just five and Renee was seven. So, still quite young and impressionable and I could only imagine how difficult it was for those children to have their parents divorced, let alone to have another woman around.' She added: 'I guess I just wanted them to see that dad was happy, and if I was the person that was making dad happy and dad still communicated with mum and they still made the big decisions about things, it was a case of just tiptoeing.' Penny has a great relationship with all of Rod's children, with the whole clan often holidaying together.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Sir Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster's son Alastair, 19, drops out of fashion school to pursue career in film
Sir Rod Stewart tipped his teenage son Alastair to play a younger version of himself if a Hollywood film were ever made about his very colourful life. 'There's a remarkable similarity,' the singer remarked. And maybe Alastair, 19, could be up for the challenge as, I can disclose, he's dropped out of fashion school to pursue a career in film. Last autumn, he embarked on a three-year degree course in fashion design, entrepreneurship and branding at the JCA London Fashion Academy. 'I was attending that fashion college, but I've left now,' he tells me at the world premiere of Ocean with Sir David Attenborough. 'I'm in a bit of a transitional period at the moment. 'I'm trying to get into the film industry, and I want to follow my passion.' Alastair, who attended the screening at Royal Festival Hall in London with his mother Penny Lancaster, 54, added: 'I want to be behind the camera, that's my real passion. 'I've made a few short plays, I write a lot of scripts, and I write a lot of screenplays.' Rod's, 80, wife Penny recently opened up on the trials and tribulations of navigating a blended family with her husband's other children. The Maggie May hitmaker has eight children with five different women, two of whom are sons Alastair and Aidan, 14, who he welcomed with his third wife Penny. Rod also has Liam, 30, and Renee, 32, with his second wife, model Rachel Hunter, 55, while Kimberly, 45, and Sean, 44, are from his first marriage to actress Alana Stewart, 79. He has another daughter Ruby, 37, from a former relationship with model Kelly Emberg, 65 and Rod's firstborn child is Sarah Streeter, 61, who was raised by her adoptive parents Gerald and Evelyn Thubron. Discussing the subject of blended families on the Loose Women podcast with Coleen Nolan, 60, Penny reflected on entering Rod's life when his children Liam and Renee were young, revealing how 'difficult' it must've been for them having another woman in their lives following their parents' divorce. 'I was attending that fashion college, but I've left now,' he tells me at the world premiere of Ocean with Sir David Attenborough (pictured). I'm in a bit of a transitional period at the moment. I'm trying to get into the film industry, and I want to follow my passion They were speaking in response to a caller who admitted that she didn't want her ex-husband to take their children on holiday with his partner and their children. Sharing her own experiences of becoming a stepmother, Penny explained: 'There's five mothers, so it's a bit blended', later adding: 'I really did take into account what it must be like for the mother when I was around Rod [Stewart's] children. 'Liam and Renee, Liam was just five and Renee was seven. So, still quite young and impressionable and I could only imagine how difficult it was for those children to have their parents divorced, let alone to have another woman around.' She added: 'I guess I just wanted them to see that dad was happy, and if I was the person that was making dad happy and dad still communicated with mum and they still made the big decisions about things, it was a case of just tiptoeing.' Penny has a great relationship with all of Rod's children, with the whole clan often holidaying together.
