Sir Elton John has been confirmed as the first Glastonbury headline act for next year, taking to the Pyramid Stage on Sunday for his last ever UK show.
The 75-year-old hit singer began his last tour of the world and is set to say farewell to the UK in style, with his first-ever performance at the highly-acclaimed Worthy Farm festival.
Glastonbury announced the news in a tweet this morning, which read: "We are incredibly excited to announce that the one and only @EltonOfficial will headline the Pyramid Stage on Sunday night at Glastonbury 2023, for what will be the final UK show of his last ever tour."
In a statement the Hold Me Closer hitmaker said he "couldn’t be more excited" to be headlining at Glastonbury 2023.
He said: "As the end of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour comes into view, there is no more fitting way to say goodbye to my British fans. They have been beyond brilliant, and have supported me through all the highs and lows of my career.
"Every week I speak to new artists on my radio show and Glastonbury is often cited as a pivotal moment in launching their careers – the festival’s genuine, enthusiastic support for the best emerging talent is something I’ve long admired.
"I’ve been talking to Emily Eavis about it over the last few weeks and I can’t wait to embrace the spirit of the greatest festival in the world. It’s going to be incredibly emotional."
The performance will mark Sir Elton's final gig in the UK, however, he will continue on his tour with performances scheduled in Australia and New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis said they would be giving Sir Elton the "mother or all send offs" in his final UK performance.
She said: "It gives me enormous pleasure to let you know that the one and only Elton John will be making his first ever Glastonbury appearance, headlining the Pyramid Stage on the Sunday night next year.
"This will be the final UK show of Elton’s last ever tour, so we will be closing the Festival and marking this huge moment in both of our histories with the mother of all send offs. We are so very happy to finally bring the Rocket Man to Worthy Farm!"
Glastonbury will return to Worthy Farm in Somerset from June 21 to 25.
Elton is set to perform his set on Sunday as the other two headliners for the annual festival are yet to be announced.
This year Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lemar and Sir Paul McCartney all performed in the headline slots on the Pyramid Stage.
Elton's upcoming performance comes more than five years after the Rocketman singer announced his 350-date Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
He was scheduled to wrap up the tour in 2021 to spend more time with his family but the coronavirus pandemic and a hip injury, which Elton sustained after a fall, meant some dates had to be rescheduled.
I'm Still Standing hitmaker Elton recently wrapped up the US leg of his tour with a three-night stand at LA's Dodger Stadium.
The venue is close to Elton's heart as it is where, in 1975, he cemented his superstar status with two historic gigs dressed in a sequinned Dodgers kit.
