Watts was travelling in a limousine to his luxurous holiday home in the south of France when his driver fell asleep at the wheel, causing a head-on smash.

The 64 years old rockstar was rushed to hospital where he was treated for cracked ribs and a broken sternum and has spent six weeks recovering.

The crash happened in June, during the recording of the upcoming Stones album \"A Bigger Bang\". Despite the events the release wil hit the streets early September, just as planned. The near-fatal accident had not been reveiled until now.

The legendary drummer revealed the seat belt saved his life, confessing:

\"But for the seat belt I\'d be dead no question. I\'m fine, thank God. It\'s the fourth time in a year I\'ve been in hospital after having never been in one.\"

Over the last 12 months Charlie has undergone six weeks of intensive radiotherapy to fight throat cancer. He has now been given the all-clear.