VETERAN rocker Sir Rod Stewart is calling on men to have their prostates checked after revealing he was diagnosed with the disease three years ago - and has beaten it because it was caught early.

Now 74, the iconic singer spoke for the first time about his secret battle, saying he was told he had the condition during a routine check in February 2016.

He spoke about his health issues while attending a charity evening with former Faces bandmates, Ronnie Wood and Kenney Jones, joking that he had warned his wife, Penny Lancaster, that he was going to use the evening to “come out”.

The father-of-eight added: “No, it’s not what you think. Two years ago I was ­diagnosed with prostate cancer.

"No one knows this, but I thought this was about time I told everybody. I’m in the clear, now, simply because I caught it early, I have so many tests."

He urged other men to have check-ups, saying: "Guys, you’ve got to really go to the doctor.”

The fundraiser for the ­Prostate Project and European Tour Foundation was held at the Wentworth Club in Surrey.

A spokesman for Prostate Project said Sir Rod's revelation could help others.

He said: “Experience has shown what a big difference high profile celebrities can make when they ‘come out’ about their cancer.

“Stephen Fry and Bill Turnbull revealing their battles with prostate cancer are a good case in point.

“We have no doubt that Sir Rod’s decision to announce his fight with the disease will be equally effective.”