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The Arctic Monkeys will play their headline set at Glastonbury Festival tonight, despite fears that illness would force them to pull out, co-organiser Emily Eavis has confirmed.

The Sheffield rock band top Friday’s bill on the prestigious Pyramid Stage, but after cancelling a gig in Dublin earlier this week, fans had been left wondering whether their Glastonbury set would go ahead.

However, Eavis has now allayed fears, speaking to BBC Radio 2’s Zoe Ball from the Worthy Farm site on day one of performances, she replied to a question on whether they would be playing by saying: “They’re on,” which was welcomed with loud applause.

Arctic Monkeys. Pic: AP
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Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner was suffering from laryngitis

She went on: “It was a little bit close there for a minute and we were thinking about whether we should have a serious back-up plan in place, but no, thankfully they’re on, so that’s great.”

Arctic Monkeys, who are currently midway through a world tour, had been due to play Marlay Park in Dublin on Tuesday but were forced to cancel the show as frontman Alex Turner was suffering from laryngitis, following three consecutive shows at the Emirates Stadium in north London.

Apologising to fans on social media, a statement said: “Alex is suffering from acute laryngitis, and following medical advice, has been ordered to rest.”

Laryngitis – which is when your vocal cords become swollen or irritated – comes on suddenly and gets worse during the first few days. It usually lasts for one to two weeks, according to the NHS website.

When asked if the band were still set to play earlier in the week, Eavis told reporters on Wednesday: “I think we are going to be alright.

“They’ve cancelled that [Dublin show], he’s recovering. I’m sure we’re going to be alright.”

She added: “We’ve got a couple of backup plans if not. We’ve always got backup plans for everything.”

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Gates open at Glastonbury

Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Matt Helders and Nick O’Malley are expected to take to the Pyramid Stage at 10.15pm tonight and play for one hour.

It will be the third time the Brit, Mercury and Ivor Novello award-winning band have headlined at the festival, following shows in 2007 and 2013.

Who are The Churnups?

Meanwhile, another question hanging over Friday’s set list is who are the mystery band The Churnups?

Glastonbury has a history of surprise sets and unconfirmed slots, and this strangely-named group in a prime headline slot are causing a particular stir.

They are billed on the Glastonbury poster to play the Pyramid Stage before rock duo Royal Blood, whose set leads into the Arctic Monkeys.

FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2019, file photo, Dave Grohl of the band Foo Fighters performs at the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Foo Fighters will perform at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File)
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Foo Fighters previously pulled out when Dave Grohl injured himself before the 2015 event

Speculation it could be Foo Fighters was fuelled earlier this month after the American rockers posted a thank you letter to fans on social media, which included the line: “It feels so good to see you, churning up these emotions together.”

The band are currently on a world tour, but are now on a scheduled gap between gigs following their last performance in the US on 18 June, and they are not due to pick up again until 6 July in Canada.

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The band previously headlined the festival in 2017, after pulling out of Glastonbury 2015 when frontman Dave Grohl fell off the stage at a gig in Sweden and broke his leg.

Foo Fighters announced their new drummer, Josh Freese last month, following the death of Taylor Hawkins who died in a hotel room in the Colombian capital, Bogota, during the band’s South America tour in March 2022.

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Who else could it be?

Other theories for the mystery act’s identity include Britpop band Pulp led by Jarvis Cocker, who are currently on tour, and whose name could be seen as a definition of ‘to churn up’.

Others have speculated it could be fellow Britpopers Blur, fronted by Damon Albarn, with the band also currently on a reunion tour.

Other headline acts at Glastonbury this year include Guns N’ Roses, Elton John and Lana Del Rey.

Glastonbury Festival is taking place at Worthy Farm, in Pilton, Somerset, until Sunday.

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Rapper Ghetts facing new charges after allegedly causing death by dangerous driving

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Rapper Ghetts facing new charges after allegedly causing death by dangerous driving

The rapper Ghetts, who allegedly caused the death of a man in a hit-and-run collision, is facing further charges.

The rapper was charged at the end of last month after a 20-year-old died in a road incident in northeast London.

The musician, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, initially faced a single count of causing the death of Yubin Tamang by dangerous driving.

He now faces two further charges of driving dangerously before and after the collision on 18 October.

It is alleged he drove dangerously in Tavistock Place, in the Bloomsbury area of central London, and on other roads in the borough of Camden, north London.

The collision with Mr Tamang occurred in Redbridge Lane, Ilford, at 11.33pm on 18 October, the Met Police said. Clarke-Samuel is accused of failing to stop after his BMW hit the victim.

Mr Tamang died on 20 October.

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Clarke-Samuel allegedly continued to drive dangerously in Worcester Crescent, Redbridge, on the journey back to his home in King’s Avenue, Woodford, east London.

The black BMW, which is allegedly registered and insured in the defendant’s name, was said to have suffered significant damage.

The rapper has been in custody since a preliminary appearance at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on 27 October.

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On Monday, he appeared at the Old Bailey by videolink from Pentonville prison and spoke to confirm his name.

Mr Tamang’s family watched in the court, having travelled to the UK from Nepal.

Adjourning the case, Judge Nigel Lickley KC said Clarke-Samuel could appear in court by videolink again next time as he remanded him in custody.

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Jimmy Cliff: Reggae singer and actor dies

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Jimmy Cliff: Reggae singer and actor dies

Jimmy Cliff, a musical artist who helped bring reggae to an international audience, has died aged 81.

Known for hits including You Can Get It If You Really Want, The Harder They Come, and Many Rivers To Cross, his career spanned six decades.

Cliff performing on the Pyramid Stage, at the Glastonbury Festival in 2003. Pic: PA
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Cliff performing on the Pyramid Stage, at the Glastonbury Festival in 2003. Pic: PA


His wife, Latifa Chambers wrote on Instagram: “It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia.

“I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him.

“To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career. He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.”

Thanking the medical staff who helped during his illness, she added: “Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes.”

Signed by his wife, and two of his children, Latifa and Lilty, the statement concluded: “We see you Legend.”

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Tributes to the singer included those from Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, calling him “a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world… Jimmy Cliff told our story with honesty and soul. His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today.”

UB40 star Ali Campbell, who covered Cliff’s song Many Rivers To Cross in 1983, also paid tribute, saying he was “absolutely heartbroken to hear about the passing of a Reggae forefather” in a post on X.

Campbell also called Cliff “a pillar of our music, and one of the first to carry reggae out into the world”.

Jimmy Cliff (L) stands with Wyclef Jean at his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2010. Pic: Reuters
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Jimmy Cliff (L) stands with Wyclef Jean at his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2010. Pic: Reuters

A legend of music and screen

A two-time Grammy-winning artist, Cliff was awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit in 2003, the highest honour in the arts and sciences, from the Jamaican government.

Over the years, he would work with stars including the Rolling Stones, Sting, Elvis Costello, Annie Lennox, Paul Simon and Wyclef Jean.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

A prolific writer, frequently expressing his humanitarian views through his work, his 1969 track Vietnam was reportedly described by Bob Dylan as “the best protest song” he had ever heard.

Cliff was also well known for cover versions of songs, including Johnny Nash’s I Can See Clearly Now, which appeared on the soundtrack of the 1993 movie Cool Runnings, and Cat Stevens’ Wild World.

He twice performed on high-profile US chat show Saturday Night Live.

An actor and a musician, as well as singing the title track of 1972 cult classic The Harder They Come, Cliff also starred in it.

One of the first major commercial releases to come out of Jamaica, the movie is credited with bringing reggae to the world, as well as showing a grittier and more realistic side to the country.

During this time, Cliff’s fame rivalled Bob Marley as the reggae’s most prominent artist.

The storyline, which revolved around Cliff’s character, Ivan, moving to Kingston, Jamaica, to make it as a musical superstar, had parallels with his own.

Cliff at the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards at the London Arena in London's Docklands in 2002. Pic: PA
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Cliff at the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards at the London Arena in London’s Docklands in 2002. Pic: PA

‘Hurricane Hattie’

He was born James Chambers, during a hurricane, on 30 July 1944, in St James Parish, northwestern Jamaica.

In the 1950s, he moved with his father from the family farm to Kingston, determined to succeed in the music industry.

He began writing as Jamaica was gaining its independence from Britain, and as the early sounds of reggae – first called ska – were being developed.

At just 14, he became nationally famous for the song Hurricane Hattie, which he had written himself.

Cliff would go on to record over 30 albums and perform all over the world, including in Paris, in Brazil and at the World’s Fair, an international exhibition held in New York in 1964.

The following year, Island Records’ Chris Blackwell, the producer who launched Bob Marley And The Wailers, invited Cliff to work in the UK.

Jimmy Cliff during the Love Supreme Jazz Festival in 2019. Pic: Shutterstock
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Jimmy Cliff during the Love Supreme Jazz Festival in 2019. Pic: Shutterstock

‘I still have many rivers to cross!’

Speaking about his burning passion for life during a 2019 interview, when the star had begun losing his sight, Cliff said: “When I’ve achieved all my ambitions, then I guess that I will have done it and I can just say ‘great’.

“But I’m still hungry. I want it. I’ve still got the burning fire that burns brightly inside of me – like I just said to you. I still have many rivers to cross!”

Cliff’s last studio album, Refugees, made with Wyclef Jean, was released in 2022, and the singer said he wrote the title track “due to emotional feelings towards freedom taken away from human beings”.

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Woman charged with fraud over ‘sale of Oasis tickets’

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Woman charged with fraud over 'sale of Oasis tickets'

A woman has been charged with fraud offences over the alleged sale of Oasis tickets.

Rosie Slater has been charged with 11 counts of fraud by false representation, Staffordshire Police said.

The 32-year-old, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, has been granted unconditional bail and is due to appear in court at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 11 December.

The charges relate to the alleged sale of Oasis tickets in May.

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It comes as ministers confirmed plans to make it illegal for tickets to concerts, theatre, comedy, sport and other live events to be resold for more than their original cost.

Earlier this month, pop stars including Sam Fender, Dua Lipa, Coldplay and Radiohead urged the prime minister in an open letter to stand by his election promise to restrict online ticket touts.

The huge profits made by resellers were put in the spotlight last year when thousands of Oasis fans complained of ticket prices for their reunion tour, with some Wembley Stadium show tickets listed at more than £4,000.

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