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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Caroline Davies

John Eliot Gardiner pulls out of BBC Proms after punching bass soloist

John Eliot Gardiner  conducting
John Eliot Gardiner, conducting at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall in 2017, was due to conduct The Trojans at the Proms on 3 September. Photograph: Ullstein Bild/Getty Images

An internationally renowned conductor has pulled out of the BBC Proms after punching and slapping a soloist for allegedly entering the stage incorrectly at the Berlioz festival in France.

Sir John Eliot Gardiner, 80, assaulted William Thomas, 29, an English bass who represented England in the Cardiff Singer of the World competition, after an opera performance on Tuesday, according to reports.

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