Rod Stewart's American Music Awards Speech Was Censored – Here's What He Actually Said

Sir Rod Stewart certainly kept CBS’ censors busy when he was caught off guard during his acceptance speech at this year’s American Music Awards.

After a two-year absence, the rebooted AMAs took place on Monday night, with the Maggie May singer being recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the ceremony.

What Sir Rod wasn’t expecting, though, was that he’d be presented with his award by five of his eight children.

Struggling to conceal his shock, the Grammy winner told them: “I’m so fucking overwhelmed that you’re here. Jesus Christ!”

Fortunately, the ceremony was being aired on a brief time delay, so the Daily Mail reported that US broadcaster CBS was able to make some fast-thinking cuts, to remove the F-bomb from the final edit.

However, it remained intact when Sir Rod’s speech was uploaded to YouTube:

“I am absolutely flabbergasted, I didn’t know they were here, my children,” he began. “I’ve got eight altogether… I didn’t have a television. That’s a little joke.

“But I’m so thrown! I thought you’d recorded [that introduction] earlier! Look at them, ugly, ain’t they? All of them!”

He continued: “When I started singing in the early 60s, long before all of you lot were here, the reason I got into it was because I had this burning ambition to sing. That’s all I wanted to do, I didn’t want to be rich, or famous, and here I am, a few years later, picking up this wonderful award. Thank you so much.”

After his speech, Sir Rod also performed a rendition of one of his signature hits, Forever Young.

It’s not just Sir Rod’s Lifetime Achievement win that’s putting the crooner in a nostalgic mood, though.

Next month, the chart-topping star will be performing in Glastonbury’s famous Sunday afternoon “Legends” slot, where he’ll showcase hits from across his decades-spanning career.