How do you close Glastonbury Festival – and the final chapter of a touring career spanning more than 50 years – when you’re Sir Elton John?
While many Pyramid stage headliners before him have ended with fireworks over the years, when you’re the Rocketman you set the tone from the off and light up the sky at both the start and end of your set.
Sir Elton, resplendent in gold, chose his version of Pinball Wizard to open, a song he has not played in 10 years but a brilliant choice to make his mark.
After The Bitch Is Back, the showman told the crowd: “I never thought I’d ever play Glastonbury. It’s a very special and emotional night for me because it might be my last show ever in England, so I had better play well and I had better entertain you, you’ve been standing there so long and I really appreciate all the outfits and everything. Amazing.”
The audience for Sir Elton’s first ever Glastonbury performance was enormous, building in the early hours on Sunday morning with fans who remained in place for the entire day – loo breaks permitting – to secure their spot.
Different eras of his career were reflected in the many glittering and elaborate costumes worn by fans in the audience, while others dedicated those famous Glastonbury place-marker flags to the star.
The rumour mill beforehand went into overdrive – some Glastonbury-goers were convinced they had spotted Lady Gaga enjoying the festival incognito and would therefore make an appearance, others favoured Taron Egerton – who played Sir Elton in the Rocketman biopic – to recreate his performance alongside the man himself. Dua Lipa, Britney Spears, Harry Styles and Ed Sheeran were also in the mix, along with, after appearances on site earlier on in the festival, Grohl and McCartney.
But in the end, Sir Elton, known for championing younger performers, “wanted to have newer artists save for one person”. He was joined by Jacob Lusk of Gabriels and The London Community Gospel Choir for Are You Ready For Love?; Stephen Sanchez for a performance of the younger singer’s song Until I Found You; and Rina Sawayama for Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.
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For those expecting huge names, this might have been a slight disappointment, but what a platform for the star to provide to young stars just starting out in their careers.
He also welcomed The Killers’ Brandon Flowers to the stage, telling the crowd the star was “the first person I thought of” when he was deciding on guests. Having played Glastonbury no less than six times himself, Flowers is no stranger to the festival, and the pair performed Tiny Dancer together.
Sir Elton had promised to deliver and his set provided hit after hit after hit, from Crocodile Rock, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting, to I’m Still Standing, Your Song and Candle In The Wind – bringing the house down again and again and again.
Towards the end of the set came Cold Heart, his collaboration with Dua Lipa, who appeared on screen but not as a guest. Fans were encouraged to sing along to her part “and sing it loudly”.
He also paid tribute to the late George Michael, his “friend” and “inspiration”, noting that the day would have marked his 60th birthday and thanking him for the “gorgeous” music he left behind. “This is for you, George,” he said, before none other than Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.
The set closed with an extended version of Rocket Man – and of course, more fireworks. But not before the star thanked once again those in the crowd who had made the effort to dress up.
“I want to thank you all for dressing up in your costumes, your glasses and your outfits, it makes me feel so happy and so loved.”
Sir Elton then said goodbye, thanking his fans for 52 years of “amazing love and loyalty”. Glastonbury will be, he has said, his last ever UK performance, his final ever tour set to end next month.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” he told Glastonbury. “I’ve had the best time, I will never forget you, you’re in my head and my heart and my soul, you’ve been amazing. You’ve been an incredible crowd tonight. I wish you love and health and happiness.”
There is no doubt this will go down as one of Glastonbury’s all-time legendary headline sets. And if this really is Sir Elton’s final farewell, there is no better stage on which to say goodbye.
Richard E Grant has shared an emotional video of his trip to Barry – the town made famous by the hit TV show Gavin And Stacey.
He was joined by the show’s co-creator Ruth Jones, who is best known for playing Nessa.
They are both filming a new drama called The Other Bennet Sister, which delves into a character in Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice.
Grant excitedly said “oh my god” as he stood outside Stacey’s family home – and headed across the road to Uncle Bryn’s.
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Prosecutors and defence lawyers have rested their cases in the sex-trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, bringing more than six weeks of testimony against the hip-hop mogul to a close.
The high-profile trial has heard from more than 30 witnesses, including the rapper’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, as well as former employees of his company Bad Boy Entertainment, male escorts, law enforcement officers and hotel staff.
But one person jurors won’t hear from is Combs himself.
Confirming this to Judge Arun Subramanian, the rapper said he had discussed the issue of testifying “thoroughly” with his team and made the decision not to give evidence. He also thanked the judge and told him he was doing an “excellent job”.
Image: Cassie Ventura was heavily pregnant when she testified at the start of the trial. Pic: Jane Rosenberg/ Reuters
After the prosecution rested, the defence team moved for the judge to acquit the 55-year-old – a fairly standard move – saying attorneys for the government had not provided evidence to prove any of the charges filed.
They then presented a brief case themselves, submitting more text messages as evidence to show Combs and his girlfriends were in loving, consensual relationships, and making a few stipulations about testimony, but calling no witnesses. This lasted for less than an hour.
They have previously conceded Combs has been violent in the past, something he is “not proud” of, but said this did not make him a sex trafficker.
The charges against ‘Diddy’
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, two charges of sex-trafficking, and two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has strenuously denied all allegations of sexual abuse. The hip-hop mogul’s defence team has described him as “a complicated man” but say the case is not.
They have conceded Combs could be violent and that jurors might not condone his proclivity for “kinky sex”. However, they argue this was a consensual “swingers” lifestyle and was not illegal.
Combs has remained in jail without bail since he was arrested in New York in September last year.
Throughout the trial, defence lawyers have made their case for exoneration through their questioning of witnesses called by the prosecution, including several who gave evidence reluctantly or after they were granted immunity to testify.
Prosecutors argue Combs coerced and forced Cassie and another former girlfriend, who testified under the pseudonym Jane, into “freak off” sex sessions with male escorts, and used his business empire to facilitate these, as well as drug use, and cover up bad behaviour.
Image: Jurors have seen several clips of explicit footage. Pic: Jane Rosenberg/ Reuters
During the first week of the trial, Cassie, 38, spent four days giving evidence. Heavily pregnant at the time, she told jurors she felt pressured to take part in hundreds of “freak offs” with male sex workers as Combs watched.
She told the court they became so frequent during their relationship, which began in 2007 and ended in 2018, that they were “like a job”, and she had barely any time for her own career.
The singer and musician gave birth two weeks after her testimony, her friend and former stylist confirmed as he gave evidence himself in court.
Jane testified for six days about similar sexual performances, which Combs referred to as “hotel nights”, “wild king nights” or “debauchery” with her, the court heard. Like Cassie, she said she felt coerced into engaging in them because she loved the music star and wanted to please him.
Jane dated Combs on and off from early 2021 to his arrest in 2024.
Jurors have been shown several recordings of these sex sessions, lasting more than 40 minutes in total. The footage was shown on monitors and jurors used headphones, keeping it private from the media and members of the public in court.
In her opening statement, defence lawyer Teny Geragos called the videos “powerful evidence that the sexual conduct in this case was consensual and not based on coercion”.
The trial also heard from Mia, another alleged victim who testified under a pseudonym. Mia was a former employee of Combs, who told the court he sexually assaulted her on several occasions in the years she worked for him.
She had never told anyone about the alleged abuse until the investigation into Combs, she said, telling the court she was ashamed. “I was going to die with this,” she said, becoming tearful on the stand. “I didn’t want anyone to know ever.”
The trial has been eventful, with one juror dismissed and replaced by an alternate after it emerged he had given conflicting evidence about where he lives. The judge said he had “serious concerns” that not being truthful about this could potentially mean he wanted to be on the jury for a particular reason.
And at one point, Combs was warned by the judge for nodding enthusiastically toward jurors during a section of cross-examination by his lawyers. The judge said he could be excluded from the trial if it happened again.
Court is not in session on Wednesday. The trial continues on Thursday, when closing statements from the legal teams will begin.
Former Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 67-year-old announced his diagnosis on social media, saying it was one of stage four “advanced” cancer.
He said he was “fortunate to have a simply outstanding medical team” looking after him that was “administering the best possible care with expertise, compassion and sensitivity”.
“I’m responding positively to their excellent treatment, and feeling well,” he added.
“I’m blessed to be fortified by the monumental love and support of my wife, family and close friends.
“Needless to say, my message to all men over 50, in high risk groups, or displaying symptoms, is get yourself tested and campaign for routine prostate screening by the NHS.
“Early detection is crucial. And be aware, this disease can sometimes progress rapidly without obvious symptoms.”
Image: Murnaghan also presented on BBC News and ITV News
Murnaghan said he would be taking part in Sir Chris Hoy’s charity bike ride in Glasgow in September, which aims to “shine a spotlight” on stage four cancer.