Lord of the sweatpants: Retired Michael Flatley looks unrecognisable as he struggles up off a step... after revealing dancing 'wrecked his body'

By Mailonline Reporter

Published: 08:20 EDT, 3 November 2016 | Updated: 19:58 EDT, 3 November 2016

It is mere months since he took to the stage for the last time to wow his avid fans with his dance skills.

And Michael Flatley seems to have fully settled into his retirement.

The Riverdance sensation, 58, looked almost unrecognisable as he swapped his outlandish stage costumes for a casual look while out in London this week.

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Lord of the sweatpants: Riverdance legend Michael Flatley seems to have fully settled into his retirement as she stepped out in London this week

The American dancer - known by his nickname the Celtic Tiger - was chatting on the phone and took a rest on the step of a property, but his years of pounding the stage appeared to have caught up with him.

Michael looked like he struggled to pull himself back up off the step, clinging onto a pillar before hauling himself onto his feet.

Gone were the Bolero jackets and ruffled shirts and in their place was a comfortable tracksuit and red trainers.

The star - who has amassed a £200 million fortune since shooting to fame in 1994 - graced the stage for his final performances earlier this year.

Crouching Celtic Tiger: The stage sensation, 58, looked almost unrecognisable as he swapped his outlandish stage costumes for a casual look

Hard work: Michael looked like he struggled to pull himself back up off the step, clinging onto a pillar before hauling himself onto his feet

Up he goes: The star - who has admitted that a life of dance has wreaked havoc on his body - took a few moments to lift himself up

Worth it: Michael admitted that he had 'wrecked his body' - but that being at the top of his game for decades made it worth it

Retired: His last performance was on St Patrick's Day this year in Vegas. He now oversees the Riverdance tours and is focusing on his artwork

Dancing to a new tune: Gone were the Bolero jackets and ruffled shirts and in their place was a comfortable tracksuit and red trainers

Popular: The star - who has amassed a £200 million fortune since shooting to fame in 1994 - graced the stage for his final performances earlier this year

He took part in a sold-out tour before hanging up his dance shoes after he performed at Caesar’s Colosseum in Las Vegas on St. Patrick's Day.

After putting his body through the ringer for decades, the star admitted to the Daily Mail earlier this year that his body just couldn't take anymore.

He admitted: ‘I am always in pain. Agony. Every morning my poor wife [Niamh O'Brien] has to witness me spending the first few minutes of the day trying to straighten my back and push my legs to start working. 

‘I’ve wrecked my body with dance. I can’t say I wasn’t warned and I can’t say I haven’t loved every single minute of putting myself into this state.

'But physically I’m a mess. I have a recurring broken bone in my right foot which just spontaneously breaks itself.

'My hamstrings are ruined, my groin is gone and I’ve done irreparable damage to two points of my spine.’ 

Legend: Michael took Irish dancing to the world stage with his amazing routines and concerts

 

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