ROCK royalty came to Chelmsford on Saturday when Rod Stewart visited Waterstone's for a book signing.
Rodmania took over the city centre as fans queued up on the High Street to see their hero, some even arriving the night before and travelling hundreds of miles for the rare public appearance by the veteran rocker.
Susan Lindley and Mary Williams from Broseley in Shropshire arrived in Chelmsford High Street on Friday night to ensure they were at the front of the queue for Rod's book signing at 2.30pm.
"We got to Chelmsford at 8pm last night and stayed on the street in the queue overnight. It was freezing."
Craig St Leon came all the way from Coventry so he could meet his idol.
"I came down this morning, I got the 6.10am train and got to Chelmsford at 8.30am, but it's been worth it."
The signing session took place on the first floor of Waterstones store, which was cordoned off for the occasion and only open to those who had bought copies of "Rod the Autobiography" for the rock star to sign.
Around 300 people were in the queue in the High Street with hundreds more in a "reserve queue", while the store was packed with plenty of others hoping to catch a glimpse of the popular 67-year-old singer.
A huge cheer went up as Rod arrived in the store, with wife Penny Lancaster, six-year-old son Alastair and an entourage of assistants.
Excited fans waited expectantly to meet him and get their books autographed in what is Rod's only appearance outside London to promote his book, apart from at his local Epping bookstore earlier in the day.
Good friends Debbie Curtis of Tolleshunt Knights and Debbie Faux of Kelvedon arrived at 9am on Saturday and kept the crowds entertained with their banter.
Debbie Curtis said: "I've been a Rod Stewart fan since I was 15 and I'm 51 now, so a long time."
Debbie Faux added: "I've been a Rod fan for more than 20 years, ever since Maggie May came out really.
"I like his smile and his twinkly eyes. He always looks a bit naughty. When he looked into my eyes, it was like I'd won the lottery!"
More than 1,000 books were signed in an hour by the Epping-based star who chatted and joked with fans before making his way out of a back entrance to be driven the short distance home .
