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The gates for Glastonbury 2023 have been officially opened – with some attendees setting off at 1.30am to secure a spot at the front of the queue.

About 210,000 people are heading to Somerset for the festival, which will host film screenings, theatre performances and political speeches as well as live music.

(left to right) Nora Uotila, from Finland, Simon Siegmund and Victoria Pazos in their tent on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Picture date: Wednesday June 21, 2023.
People queue for entry on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Picture date: Wednesday June 21, 2023.

One of the first to arrive was Nigel Hayes, a kitchen fitter from London who has been to every Glastonbury since 2002.

He and his sister Joanne arrived on site at 4.30am – with a cold beer one of his priorities.

“Glastonbury is all about the people, it’s a lovely vibe, it’s a lovely place to be,” Mr Hayes said.

Some visitors to Worthy Farm were greeted with torrential downpours as they shuffled into the 900-acre site – and there could be some travel disruption because of the wet weather.

Festivalgoers Justin (blue top) and Amy Martindale from Southsea in Portsmouth (centre), and their two year old daughter Alice, on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Picture date: Wednesday June 21, 2023.
(left to right) Rebecca Cooper, Lottie Mayer, Lizzie Dunn and Imi Regnart-Butler erect their teepee on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Picture date: Wednesday June 21, 2023.

Thankfully, clear skies are expected when the music kicks off on Friday – with highs of 26C (78F) forecast for Sir Elton John’s headline performance on the Pyramid Stage this Sunday.

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The Arctic Monkeys are set to top the bill on Friday night – their third time headlining the festival – but some fans are wondering whether their set will go ahead.

The band have had to cancel tonight’s gig in Dublin because frontman Alex Turner is suffering from acute laryngitis.

A mystery band called the “The Churnups” are also set to perform on the main stage before the Arctic Monkeys.

Christine And The Queens, Lizzo, Lana Del Rey, Lewis Capaldi and Lil Nas X are among the other live acts over the weekend.

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People arrive to attend the Glastonbury Festival, in Glastonbury, Britain, June 21, 2023.  REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
People queue for entry ahead of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Picture date: Wednesday June 21, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Glastonbury. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Organisers have encouraged festival-goers not to bring a number of items – with disposable vapes at the top on the list as they “pollute the environment and can be hazardous at waste centres”.

Non-biodegradable body glitter, knives and anything made of glass are also on the “what not to bring” list this year.

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Oasis ‘shocked and saddened’ after man dies at Wembley Stadium concert

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Oasis 'shocked and saddened' after man dies at Wembley Stadium concert

Oasis have said they are “shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan” at their Wembley Stadium concert on Saturday.

Together with their bandmates, Liam and Noel Gallagher have offered their “sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved”.

Metropolitan Police said officers on duty at the stadium responded, alongside venue medics and the London Ambulance Service, to reports a person had been injured at around 10.20pm.

The statement continued: “A man – aged in his 40s – was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.”

According to media reports, the man fell from the stadium’s upper tier.

A concertgoer on social media said they saw the incident and described it as “horrific”.

Oasis on stage. Pic: AP
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Liam and Noel Gallagher on stage at their first reunion gig. Pic: AP

Metropolitan Police said: “The stadium was busy, and we believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage.

“If you have any information that could help us to confirm what happened, please call 101.”

Oasis performed at the venue as planned on Sunday night, delivering the final concert of a five-night run at Wembley.

Addressing fans at the stadium, singer Liam said: “This one’s for all the people who can’t be here tonight, but who are here if you know what I mean, and aren’t they looking lovely. Live Forever.”

The band then played the track of the same name.

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Oasis support act Richard Ashcroft paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “I was shocked to hear of the death of one of the audience last night sending my love to the family and friends.”

A spokesperson for Wembley Stadium said: “Our thoughts go out to his family, who have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers.”

They will then head to Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States, before returning to Wembley for two more dates in September.

The reunion tour began at the start of July and marks the Gallagher brothers’ first performances together since Oasis split acrimoniously in 2009.

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Soulja Boy arrested on suspected weapons charge during traffic stop

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Soulja Boy arrested on suspected weapons charge during traffic stop

Soulja Boy has been arrested and charged with possession of a firearm during a traffic stop.

The rapper, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, was a passenger in the car that was stopped in the Fairfax area of Los Angeles early on Sunday morning, the LAPD said.

“A passenger was detained and police arrested DeAndre Cortez Way for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm,” the statement added.

Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon is a felony.

The 35-year-old was booked into jail in the LAPD’s Wilshire Division shortly after 6am. It is not clear if he has since been released.

Police did not provide information on what prompted the traffic stop and who else was in the vehicle with Way.

Soulja Boy is yet to publicly comment on the incident.

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Soulja Boy is best known for his 2007 hit Crank That, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks and landed him a nomination for best rap song at the Grammys.

The rapper was arrested and charged with a felony in 2014 for carrying a loaded gun during a traffic stop in LA.

In April this year, the Chicago hip-hop artist was ordered to pay more than $4m (£3m) in damages to his former assistant after being found liable for sexually assault, as well as physically and emotionally abusing them.

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Strictly Come Dancing: BBC responds as two TV stars accused of taking cocaine

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Strictly Come Dancing: BBC responds as two TV stars accused of taking cocaine

The BBC has responded after it was reported that two Strictly Come Dancing stars have been accused of taking cocaine.

The broadcaster is said to have hired an external law firm to probe the drug-taking allegations, which a source said were “well-known” on the show, The Sun on Sunday reports.

The claims were reportedly made on behalf of celebrity contestant Wynne Evans in a legal submission to the BBC in March.

In response, a BBC spokesperson told Sky News: “We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns.

“It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.”

Sky News understands that it is not unusual for the BBC to engage an external individual to provide additional expert resource to help deliver a BBC-led investigation. In these cases, they would report to an established BBC team.

File photo of BBC Broadcasting House in London.  Pic: PA
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PA file pic

The allegations published in The Sun on Sunday include a source saying that one Strictly star had told another about a third celebrity on the show: “Have you seen their pupils… they’re off their face.”

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“The BBC have known about these allegations for some time, and acknowledged receiving them. Now they are taking firm action,” the source reportedly said.

The two individuals accused of drug taking have not been named.

It is the latest crisis to hit the BBC and Strictly.

In July last year, Amanda Abbington accused Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice of “abusive or threatening behaviour”. The actress, who was paired with Pernice, withdrew from the show in 2023.

The BBC upheld “some, but not all” of the allegations, with Abbington describing an apology from the corporation as a “vindication”, while Pernice denied displaying “abusive or threatening behaviour”.

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Also in July 2024, Strictly professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima confirmed he was leaving the show amid reports of alleged misconduct.

Separately, Laura Whitmore alleged “inappropriate behaviour” during her time on the show.

In January this year, Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans made “inappropriate and unacceptable” comments at the Strictly Come Dancing live tour launch, for which he later apologised.

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