‘I’m the sexy sexagenarian’: Rocker Billy Idol reveals why he’s given up the booze ahead of world tour

Proving you can teach an old rock star new tricks, Billy Idol has revealed why he’s given up alcohol but revealed he’s “not completely sober”.

The 69 year old British rocker was speaking to The Independent ahead of the release of his new album Dream Into It and world tour when he opened up about his recent health journey.

“I’ve actually just stopped drinking. I used to have a glass of wine at a restaurant,” he said.

“I’m just watching out for my liver these days, unfortunately! I’d love to be piling them back!

“Then again, you put on weight, that’s all that happens with alcohol these days.

“You just get puffy … (Plus) I started getting a really bad headache if I have more than two glasses of wine.”

It’s not a look becoming a rock star and Idol still wants to be as sexy now as in his younger days.

“I tell you what: at the moment, I’m the sexy sexagenarian. Then I’m gonna be the sexy septuagenarian,” he said.

However, the White Wedding singer acknowledged he still has some vices after quitting booze and most drugs in the 1990s following a motorcycle accident that nearly cost him his life.

“I still take marijuana and stuff like that, so I’m not completely sober,” he said.

Idol had previously battled drug addiction in the 1980s but said working out helped him quit the party lifestyle and get his life straightened out after moving to Los Angeles in 1987.

“Working out became a big part of my life. And it helped me get over drug addiction. Caring about your body, eventually that took precedence over the drug addiction,” he said.

Although he’s not sure where he’ll be for his milestone 70th birthday as he will be on the South American leg of his next worldwide tour, he plans to “make it fun”.

“We’ll probably have some wingding South American party … You don’t see yourself ageing. But this one, I might have to celebrate,” he said.

“‘ll be on the road with a load of people I’m enjoying playing with. So we’ll make it fun. It’ll be killer.”

“Seventy here we come!”

– with BANG.