Stormzy has said that he is “overwhelmed” to be the first black British artist to headline Glastonbury, hours before his Friday night set.
The London-born Grime artist will top the bill on the Pyramid Stage this evening, a moment which he said he feels like his “entire life” has been leading up to on a series of emotional tweets.
“I am [the] first black British artist to headline Glastonbury,” he wrote. “At 25 years old I am the second youngest solo act to ever headline Glastonbury, the youngest being a 24 year old David Bowie in 1971.
“I’m overwhelmed with emotions, this is the most surreal feeling I’ve ever experienced. I feel my entire life has lead [sic] to this moment. Can’t explain or fathom what this all is but I am 100% sure this is all God and his favour. Giving him all the glory.”
The Vossi Bop star then thanked Glastonbury organisers Emily and Mike Eavis for “believing in him” and said that he couldn’t wait to hug and thank them for the opportunity.
Stormzy, real name Michael Omari, was announced as a Worthy Farm headline act earlier this year but was immediately met with criticism from festival-goers citing that he “only” has one album to his name.
Glastonbury 2019 – In pictures
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Festival-goers listen to the music of Bjorn Again in the morning sunshine on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury
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Daniel Hillman, 40, Bristol and Roxy Sollars, 28, Bristol bask in the morning sun
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The crowd react as Abba tribute band Bjorn Again play Glastonbury
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Festivalgoers relax in the sunshine at the Glastonbury Festival
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A festival-goer wearing a hat with a pro-environmental message, watches Bjorn Again perform on the Pyramid Stage
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A festivalgoer headbangs to the music of The Vaccines on the Other Stage on the third day of the Glastonbury F
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Festivalgoers enjoy the music within “The Temple” in The Common zone on day two of Glastonbury Festival
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Climate change protesters take part in a procession at the Glastonbury Festival
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Performers dressed as insects entertain festival goers during day two of Glastonbury Festival
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England fans react as they watch England’s victory over Norway in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-finals on the West Holts stage during day two of Glastonbury Festival
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An art installation is seen on the second day of Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers relax in the sunshine at the Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers enjoying the sun during Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Character actors at the ‘Glastonbury-on-Sea” pier during day two of Glastonbury Festiva
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A festivalgoer dressed as Spider-Man jumps in the air during day two of Glastonbury Festival
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A festivalgoer runs through the campsite during Glastonbury Festival
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Extinction Rebellion movement’s ‘Tell the Truth’ boat, is seen on the second day of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Festivalgoers enjoy the music within “The Temple” in The Common zone on day two of Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers enjoy the hot weather during Glastonbury Festival
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An aerial view of the festival site on the second day of the Glastonbury Festival
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A girl poses during the Glastonbury Festival
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A naked reveller walks through the Glastonbury Festival
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Revellers attend the Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers sunbathing in the Green Fields area of the Glastonbury Festival
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Performers are seen in the Circus Fields area of Glastonbury Festival
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A woman covers her head with a magazine during the Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers enjoying the sun during Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers dance on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Festivalgoers on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Festivalgoers eat ice-cream during the Glastonbury Festiva
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Revellers dance during the Glastonbury Festival
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Costume performers pose in front of Glastonbury-on-sea pier, a new attraction to the festival
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Festivalgoers take part in a yoga class during the Glastonbury Festival
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Sarah Adey and Jack Watney take part in a marriage ceremony in the Green Fields at Glastonbury Festival in Pilton
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A festival goer sunbathes during the Glastonbury Festival
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Revellers dance during the Glastonbury Festival
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Revellers dance during the Glastonbury Festival
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A festivalgoer dances during sunset at the stone circle during Glastonbury Festival
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A bonfire on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset
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An aerial view of teepees at the camping site on the second day of the Glastonbury Festival
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Revellers shower at their tents as they wake up in the morning at the Glastonbury Festival
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Revellers attend the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset
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Festivalgoers relax during sunset at the stone circle during Glastonbury Festival
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A dragon is paraded through the stone circle during Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Festivalgoers enjoy the atmosphere during day one of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Revellers attend the Glastonbury Festiva
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Dancers perform for festival goers during Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival
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A festival goer at the Stone Circle on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival
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Revellers walk along a track at Glastonbury Festival
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Two performers on stilts interact with revellers at Glastonbury Festival
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Thousands arrive for the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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This year’s festival could be the hottest one ever
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Revellers arrived at the site early
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Festivalgoers arrive as Glastonbury Festival opens it’s gates
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Revellers attend the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm
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Thousands of people will arrive today for Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Festivalgoers carry a tent on the first day of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Revellers arrived at the site early
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Festivalgoers relax in hammocks during day one of Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers arrive as Glastonbury Festival opens it’s gates
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Revellers arrive to attend the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset
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A reveller arrives for Glastonbury Festival at Worthy farm in Somerset
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A woman receives her wristband as people arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset
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Festival organiser Michael Eavis (right) takes pictures with fans as people arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Festivalgoers arrive as Glastonbury Festival opens it’s gates
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People queue for entry on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset
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Festivalgoers arrive for Glastonbury Festival
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People arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset
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People queue for entry on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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People arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset
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Festivalgoers carry their belongings and tents to the camping areas as the gates are opened during day one of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton
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Festivalgoers arrive for the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Somerset
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Revellers arrive to attend the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerse
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Festivalgoers arrive as Glastonbury Festival opens it’s gates
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People arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival
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A man carries a costume and mask on the first day of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Somerset
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People queue as they arrive for Glastonbury Festival
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People arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers arrive as Glastonbury Festival opens it’s gates
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People set up tents as they arrive for Glastonbury Festival
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People carry their possesions as they arrive for Glastonbury Festival
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People sleep as they queue to enter Glastonbury Festival
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People carry their possesions as they arrive for Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers pitch tents near to the Pyramid stage on arrival at the Glastonbury Festival
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Festival-goers listen to the music of Bjorn Again in the morning sunshine on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury
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Daniel Hillman, 40, Bristol and Roxy Sollars, 28, Bristol bask in the morning sun
James McCauley
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The crowd react as Abba tribute band Bjorn Again play Glastonbury
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Festivalgoers relax in the sunshine at the Glastonbury Festival
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A festival-goer wearing a hat with a pro-environmental message, watches Bjorn Again perform on the Pyramid Stage
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A festivalgoer headbangs to the music of The Vaccines on the Other Stage on the third day of the Glastonbury F
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Festivalgoers enjoy the music within “The Temple” in The Common zone on day two of Glastonbury Festival
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Climate change protesters take part in a procession at the Glastonbury Festival
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Performers dressed as insects entertain festival goers during day two of Glastonbury Festival
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England fans react as they watch England’s victory over Norway in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-finals on the West Holts stage during day two of Glastonbury Festival
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An art installation is seen on the second day of Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers relax in the sunshine at the Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers enjoying the sun during Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Character actors at the ‘Glastonbury-on-Sea” pier during day two of Glastonbury Festiva
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A festivalgoer dressed as Spider-Man jumps in the air during day two of Glastonbury Festival
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A festivalgoer runs through the campsite during Glastonbury Festival
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Extinction Rebellion movement’s ‘Tell the Truth’ boat, is seen on the second day of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Festivalgoers enjoy the music within “The Temple” in The Common zone on day two of Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers enjoy the hot weather during Glastonbury Festival
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An aerial view of the festival site on the second day of the Glastonbury Festival
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A girl poses during the Glastonbury Festival
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A naked reveller walks through the Glastonbury Festival
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Revellers attend the Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers sunbathing in the Green Fields area of the Glastonbury Festival
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Performers are seen in the Circus Fields area of Glastonbury Festival
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A woman covers her head with a magazine during the Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers enjoying the sun during Glastonbury Festival
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Rex Features
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Festivalgoers dance on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Festivalgoers on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Festivalgoers eat ice-cream during the Glastonbury Festiva
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Revellers dance during the Glastonbury Festival
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Costume performers pose in front of Glastonbury-on-sea pier, a new attraction to the festival
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Festivalgoers take part in a yoga class during the Glastonbury Festival
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Sarah Adey and Jack Watney take part in a marriage ceremony in the Green Fields at Glastonbury Festival in Pilton
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A festival goer sunbathes during the Glastonbury Festival
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Revellers dance during the Glastonbury Festival
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Revellers dance during the Glastonbury Festival
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A festivalgoer dances during sunset at the stone circle during Glastonbury Festival
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A bonfire on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset
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An aerial view of teepees at the camping site on the second day of the Glastonbury Festival
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Revellers shower at their tents as they wake up in the morning at the Glastonbury Festival
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Revellers attend the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset
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Festivalgoers relax during sunset at the stone circle during Glastonbury Festival
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A dragon is paraded through the stone circle during Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Festivalgoers enjoy the atmosphere during day one of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Revellers attend the Glastonbury Festiva
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Dancers perform for festival goers during Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival
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A festival goer at the Stone Circle on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival
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Revellers walk along a track at Glastonbury Festival
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Two performers on stilts interact with revellers at Glastonbury Festival
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Thousands arrive for the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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This year’s festival could be the hottest one ever
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Revellers arrived at the site early
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Festivalgoers arrive as Glastonbury Festival opens it’s gates
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Revellers attend the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm
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Thousands of people will arrive today for Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Festivalgoers carry a tent on the first day of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Revellers arrived at the site early
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Festivalgoers relax in hammocks during day one of Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers arrive as Glastonbury Festival opens it’s gates
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Revellers arrive to attend the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset
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A reveller arrives for Glastonbury Festival at Worthy farm in Somerset
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A woman receives her wristband as people arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset
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Festival organiser Michael Eavis (right) takes pictures with fans as people arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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Festivalgoers arrive as Glastonbury Festival opens it’s gates
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People queue for entry on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset
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Festivalgoers arrive for Glastonbury Festival
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People arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset
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People queue for entry on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm
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People arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset
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Festivalgoers carry their belongings and tents to the camping areas as the gates are opened during day one of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton
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Festivalgoers arrive for the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Somerset
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Revellers arrive to attend the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerse
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Festivalgoers arrive as Glastonbury Festival opens it’s gates
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People arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival
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A man carries a costume and mask on the first day of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Somerset
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People queue as they arrive for Glastonbury Festival
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People arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers arrive as Glastonbury Festival opens it’s gates
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People arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival
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People set up tents as they arrive for Glastonbury Festival
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People carry their possesions as they arrive for Glastonbury Festival
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People sleep as they queue to enter Glastonbury Festival
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People carry their possesions as they arrive for Glastonbury Festival
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Festivalgoers pitch tents near to the Pyramid stage on arrival at the Glastonbury Festival
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But Stormzy shrugged off any critics during a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, promising to “mash it up”.
“It is the honour of a lifetime,” he told the host. “It’s incredible and I am really going to mash it up!”
As well as the first Black British star, Stormzy will be the first grime MC to headline the famous festival, over a year on from his BRIT award winning album Gang Signs and Prayers. He previously performed on the Other Stage in 2017.
Stormzy set will be broadcast on BBC Two this evening.
