Eric Clapton's camp has posted a statement on his Facebook page saying, “There is no validity to the false information circulating online claiming Eric is reliant on a handicap-equipped van and wheelchair to attend his shows. Eric has just finished a residency at The Budokan in Tokyo, and a highly successful tour in England, Italy, and France, and is in excellent physical condition, singing and playing better than ever.”
The story making the rounds is from Radar.com, which says he "lost his agonizing war with a crippling nerve disease (peripheral neuropathy) suspected to have been caused by his years of boozing -- and is now almost permanently confined to a wheelchair...
"We can also reveal the rocker’s pals fear the medication usually prescribed for his debilitating condition could drag the reformed junkie and alcoholic back into the pit of addiction that almost killed him in his pomp...
"The 80-year-old has been reduced to tour the world in a handicapped-accessible van -- just like the one in which disabled stargazer Stephen Hawking traveled.
"A source said: 'Like always, Eric is putting a brave face on his pain and bottling up his emotions. But the truth is, he is in agony and feels heartbroken he has to be wheeled around by assistants in a wheelchair. He's doing his best to stand as much as he can during the few shows he's still able to do and in his social media posts, as he knows his fans like to see him that way -- but it's very sad to see he needs a stool at times. When he's off stage it’s a different story. He looks embarrassed and shattered in his wheelchair, and often pulls a hoodie over his face in case anyone sees him being transported in the wheelchair-accessible van he uses.'"
Clapton, who turned 80 on March 30th, will play six U.S. shows starting on September 8th in Nashville.