Eric Clapton's Nerve Damage Affecting His Ability To Play Guitar: 'It Will Not Improve'

Iconic UK artist Eric Clapton has opened up on a neurological condition he was diagnosed with some years ago which has been affecting his ability to play guitar, acknowledging that "it will not improve".

In an interview with Classic Rock Magazine (via Fairfax), the 71-year-old discussed suffering from peripheral neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that causes weakness and numbness in muscles. 

"I've had quite a lot of pain over the last year," Clapton revealed.

"It started with lower back pain and turned into what they call peripheral neuropathy, which is where you feel like you have electric shocks going down your leg.

"And I've had to figure out how to deal with some other things from getting old."

The pain has impacted Clapton's life so much that he can longer tour, calling it "unbearable".

"[It's] hard work to play the guitar and I've had to come to terms with the fact that it will not improve," Clapton said.

"What I'll allow myself to do, within reason, is carry on recording in the studio. I don't want to go off the boil to the point where I'm embarrassing myself."

The songwriter's 23rd studio album I Still Do dropped last month and he is rumoured to have secretly worked with fellow UK heavyweight act, The Rolling Stones, on their new album due out this year.