Connect with us

Published

on

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.

More on Glastonbury

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.

Read more:
Glastonbury cancels screening of Jeremy Corbyn ‘conspiracy theory’ film
Who are The Churnups? Glastonbury announces mystery act for prime Pyramid Stage slot – as full-line up revealed

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.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Unreleased Beyonce music stolen from car

Published

on

By

Unreleased Beyonce music stolen from car

Unreleased Beyonce music – along with footage and show plans – has been stolen from a car in Atlanta, police say.

The vehicle had been rented by the star’s choreographer and a dancer last week.

But on 8 July – just before she was about to begin a four days of performances in the city – the SUV’s back window was smashed, and two suitcases were taken.

Two MacBook laptops, Apple headphones and luxury clothes are also missing – alongside the five thumb drives containing the songs.

An arrest warrant has been issued for a suspect, but their identity has been withheld.

“Light prints” have been detected at the scene, and the robbery was captured on CCTV.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

MasterChef presenter John Torode says allegation he used racist language upheld in report

Published

on

By

MasterChef presenter John Torode says allegation he used racist language upheld in report

MasterChef presenter John Torode says an allegation he used “racial language” was upheld in a report as part of a review into the behaviour of his former co-presenter Gregg Wallace.

The report, led by law firm Lewis Silkin, found 45 out of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated.

There were also two standalone allegations made against other people.

In a statement posted on his Instagram page, Torode said he was one of those people, but added that he had “no recollection of the incident” and said he “did not believe that it happened”.

He commented: “Following publication of the executive summary of the investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld.

“For the sake of transparency, I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion.

“The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.

“I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened.

“However, I want to be clear that I’ve always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. I’m shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.”

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the latest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Gregg Wallace: Over half of allegations against MasterChef presenter substantiated, including one of unwanted physical contact

Published

on

By

Gregg Wallace: Over half of allegations against MasterChef presenter substantiated, including one of unwanted physical contact

An investigation into Gregg Wallace’s “inappropriate behaviour” on MasterChef has found that more than half of the allegations against him have been substantiated, including one of “unwanted physical contact”.

MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK shared a summary of its report into historical allegations of misconduct against the 60-year-old presenter, carried out by independent law firm Lewis Silkin over seven months.

The report also said the number of sustained allegations made Wallace’s return to MasterChef “untenable”.

The investigation heard evidence from 78 witnesses, including 41 complainants.

There were 83 allegations against Wallace, and 45 of them were substantiated. All were related to MasterChef.

While the majority of the substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated.

One allegation of unwanted physical contact was substantiated.

More on Bbc

Nearly all the allegations against Wallace were related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018, with just one substantiated allegation taking place post-2018.

Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014
Image:
Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014

Ahead of the publication of the summary, Wallace had said he had been “cleared of the most serious and sensational accusations” made against him.

Additionally, the report summary found that there were also 10 standalone allegations about other people between 2012 and 2018/2019, two of which were substantiated. Those people were not named in the summary.

The investigation found that complaints had previously been raised with the production company between 2005 and 2024.

Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024
Image:
Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024

While the report flagged inadequate reporting procedures prior to 2016, when Endemol merged with Shine ahead of Banijay acquiring Endemol Shine in 2020, it said there were significant improvements to HR processes and training after 2016.

While the investigation said some formal action was taken by the BBC in 2017, it also noted the corporation held no information regarding concerns raised over Wallace centrally, resulting in issues being addressed as a first offence.

Sky News has tried to contact Gregg Wallace for contact today.

Continue Reading

Trending