Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan has pushed back on reports that he had signalled he was nearing retirement, insisting his earlier comments were misinterpreted. Speaking to The Independent's music editor Roisin O'Connor, the 80-year-old frontman said he never suggested retirement was imminent, only that he would step away once he lacked the strength or energy to perform, regardless of his worsening eyesight. The clarification matters as it follows widespread coverage last November suggesting the band's decades-long run might be winding down, whereas Gillan maintains the group remains energised and has no fixed end date in sight.

Gillan clarified that comments about his failing vision, which he says leaves him with only around 30% sight, were wrongly linked to retirement plans, noting drily that he "doesn't sing through his eyes". He also said he prefers touring widely over doing residencies, valuing the experience of bringing live music directly to fans, and praised the band's current line-up, crediting guitarist Simon McBride's arrival with reinvigorating Deep Purple. He added that "human dignity" would ultimately determine when it was time to stop performing, rather than any predetermined timeline.