This is the emotional moment Sir Elton John bowed to hundreds of thousands of screaming fans following his ‘last ever UK performance’ at Glastonbury on Sunday.
After closing the show with a rousing rendition of Rocket Man, the legendary singer-songwriter, 76, leapt off his piano stool and took to the front of the festival’s Pyramid Stage.
Dressed in a beaming gold suit, the father-of-two called forward members of his band as they joined hands and bowed in unison, ahead of an impressive fireworks display.
It followed an emotionally-charged set that saw the musician wipe away tears during a heartfelt tribute to George Michael, who would have turned 60 yesterday.
The highly-praised performance was the last UK date of Sir Elton’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
Sir Elton takes rallies the crowd during his potentially last ever UK performance at Glastonbury on Sunday
Sir Elton John performing on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset
‘I never thought I would ever play Glastonbury and here I am,’ he told the audience moments after taking to the stage.
‘It’s a very special and emotional night for me because it might be my last show ever in England, in Great Britain, so I’d better play well and entertain you.’
Fans were seen holding up signs reading ‘Thanks Elton’ while wearing replicas of his iconic glasses.
The iconic performer delivered hit after hit in what some spectators have branded ‘the best headline set ever.’
‘What a way to end your career!’ wrote one on Twitter, while another said: ‘The definition of all killer, no filler!’
One fan said: ‘I have just watched an entertainment masterclass from a legend… memories, smiles and a few tears, absolutely incredible.’
A separate spectator said she had ‘goosebumps and tears’ as she branded Sir Elton ‘one of the best to ever do it’, adding: ‘Enjoy your retirement, sir, you’ve certainly earned it.’
Hundreds of thousands gathered at Worthy Farm and millions tuned in to watch Sir Elton’s final farewell on the BBC.
Music fans take to Twitter to heap praise on Elton John’s Glastonbury headline performance
One person said that after promising to perform ‘hit after hit’, Sir Elton ultimately delivered during his two hour set, which featured four special guests – although not Dua Lipa and Britney Spears, who had been expected to perform on the night.
The ‘life-affirming’ show was watched by the star’s husband David Furnish and their two sons, as well as celebrity pals including David Walliams and the Spice Girls, who were reportedly set to join him for a glitzy after party following the show.
Stars including Paul McCartney, Taron Egerton and Andrew Garfield were also spotted backstage watching the show before attending Sir Elton’s bash.
The only disappointment for some, was that big name stars who were rumoured to be dueting with the legend failed to make an appearance on the night.
Britney Spears, 41, was widely speculated to be performing their track Hold Me Closer with Elton during the show, however she never appeared.
Sir Elton also noted that he would be singing Dua Lipa’s part of the song, Cold Heart, himself because she was also unable to join him on the night.
Dua, 27, couldn’t be there leaving Elton to sing their 2021 hit alone. Dua shared snaps from a family meal on the same day.
Fans were quick to comment as one wrote on Twitter: ‘Sorry Dua Lipa but where on earth is more important to be right now than the headlining performance of Glastonbury with Elton John?’
Born to perform: Sir Elton John on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage for the final UK show of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour on Sunday
Dressed in style: The superstar singer, 76, walked on to the stage in a gold suit before taking a seat at the piano as fireworks went off
Tearful: Pop star Sir Elton removed his famous red-tinted glasses to wipe away tears as his musical guests paid tribute to him on stage
Tributge: Sit Elton dedicated his penultimate song Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me to the late George Michael on what would have been the singer’s 60th birthday (George pictrued in 2005)
Watching Dad! The ‘life-affirming’ set was watched by his husband David Furnish and their children, as well as celebrity pals including David Walliams and the Spice Girls, who were reportedly set to join him for a glitzy after party following the show
Star-studded: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lewis Hamilton and David Furnish watch Elton
At the start of the show, Sir Elton walked on to the stage in a gold suit before taking a seat at the piano as fireworks went off, before saying he never thought he would play the festival for a ‘special and emotional’ show.
He removed his famous red-tinted glasses to wipe away tears as his musical guests paid tribute to him on stage.
During the evening, he dedicated his penultimate song Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me to the late George Michael on what would have been the singer’s 60th birthday, saying: ‘This is a very special day today, I wondered how I was going to approach it.
‘One of Britain’s most fantastic singers and songwriters was George Michael. He was my friend, he was an inspiration, and today would have been his 60th birthday, so I want to dedicate this song to his memory. All the music he left us with is so gorgeous. This is for you George.’
He opened his set with Pinball Wizard before playing The B***h Is Back and then said: ‘I never thought I would ever play Glastonbury and here I am.
‘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.’
Reaction: One person said that after promising to perform ‘hit after hit’, Elton ultimately delivered during his two hour set, which featured four special guests
He then followed up with Bennie And The Jets and Daniel to a capacity crowd at the Pyramid Stage.
Sir Elton was joined by Jacob Lusk of Gabriels and The London Community Gospel Choir for Are You Ready For Love?
Following a performance of Someone Saved My Life Tonight, he told the crowd: ‘When I chose my guests for this show I wanted to have newer artists, save for one person, and this boy I heard last year on the radio…
‘I’ve asked him to come to Glastonbury to do his song and he’s an amazing young talent.’
He was then joined by Stephen Sanchez for a performance of Sanchez’s song Until I Found You.
Sir Elton then welcomed the Killers frontman Brandon Flowers to perform with him, who took to the stage in a red jacket, with the pair performing Tiny Dancer.
No shows: Dua Lipa (left) and Britney Spears had been expected to make an appearance during Elton’s set so fans were disappointed not to see them appear
Final farewell: Sir Elton bid farewell to the huge crowd at the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury after what he said may be his last ever UK show
Golden boy: Sir Elton’s golden suit was complemented by a pair of golden trainers for his performance
Entertainer: The star laughed that he had to pull up his trousers as he walked around the stage during his performance
Music man: He opened his set with Pinball Wizard before playing The Bitch Is Back and then said: ‘I never thought I would ever play Glastonbury and here I am’
Grateful: The star expressed his gratitude to the crowd as he stood next his black Yamaha piano on stage
Showman: The musician whipped the crowed into a frenzy after the crowed had waited at the main stage since the morning
First time: Sir Elton had never performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury before until what may have been his last ever UK show
Fame game: Sir Elton enjoyed celebrity members in the audience, including Sir Paul McCartney (left)
Landmark show: ‘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’ (pictured with his first guest, American singer Jacob Lusk)
Making music: Sir Elton was joined by Stephen Sanchez for a performance of Sanchez’s song Until I Found You.
Emotion: Sir Elton was moved to tears and removed his glasses to wipe away tears after Stephen paid tribute
Honoured: Lead singer of the Killers, Brandon Flowers, made an appearance to sing with Sir Elton
Embrace: Sir Elton and Brandon could be seen hugging on stage after their performance at Glastonbury
Guest star: Brit-nominated singer Rina Sawayama took to the stage with him to perform Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
Looking good: Rita looked sensational in a sheer dress with silver disc detail as she took to the stage. Rina’s natural beauty was enhanced with edgy makeup from Charlotte Tilbury
Dynamic duo: The pair played off each other as they performed for the huge crowd at Worthy Farm
Gutted! Britney Spears, 41, was widely speculated to be performing their track Hold Me Closer with Elton during the show, however she never appeared
Hitmaker: He also performed renditions Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Your Song and Candle In The Wind to the huge crowd
Dazzling: The Rocketman entertained the masses at Glastonbury on Sunday, for his first time ever at the festival
Over the rainbow: The star had a special stage set and was joined by a band while he played the piano
Devotees: Ecstatic fans were projected onto the huge screen behind him as he took to the stage
Thank you: Elton told his fans how much they meant to him as he thanked them for waiting for hours in the audience after they’d queued all day
Explosive: Fireworks exploded into the sky as Sir Elton’s performance came to an end at Worthy Farm
All eyes on him: The star wore a gold suit for his performance with a black open collared shirt underneath
Talented: He worked the crowed as he stood on stage surrounded by fans after performing as a solo singer and dueting with his guests
Brit-nominated singer Rina Sawayama took to the stage with him to perform Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.
He also performed renditions of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Your Song and Candle In The Wind to the huge crowd.
Earlier in the day, Blondie’s Debbie Harry looked every inch the edgy rock star as the took to the Pyramid Stage to perform with her band during day five of Glastonbury Festival on Sunday.
The singer, 77, was watched on on by the likes of fashion designer Stella McCartney, 51, and actress Kate Hudson, 44, at the site in England’s Somerset.
She wore a black sequinned mini dress and a matching jacket with a black T-shirt underneath.
The American hitmaker wore black over-knee leather boots and futuristic mirrored dark visor sunglasses as she stormed the stage with the band.
Blondie launched their set with hit song One Way Or Another and opened the performance with static buzzing across the back screen, however some in the audience and viewing at home claimed they were unable to hear.
Incredible: Fireworks lit up the sky as Elton performed the closing show
Duet: Elton held hands with Rina after they performed to the crowd
Celeb attendees! Debbie Harry and Kate Hudson watched on from the audience
Guests: Anya-Taylor Joy was among the stars at the event
Rock chic: Blondie’s Debbie Harry, 77, looked every inch the edgy rock star in all black as the took to the Pyramid Stage to perform during day five of Glastonbury Festival on Sunday
Born to perform: She wore a black sequinned mini dress and a matching jacket with a black T-shirt underneath
Fame game: The singer was watched on on by the likes of fashion designer Stella McCartney, 51 (right), and actress Kate Hudson, 44 (third left), at the site in England’s Somerset
Wow! Lil Nas X took to the stage earlier in the evening with Jack Harlow
What a look! As always, Lil Nas made a statement in an incredible outfit
Wow! he sported a blue skirt with a bull decoration and knee-high boots
Backstage: Cara Delevingne was spotted backstage during Sunday afternoon
Debbie then said the band had to get the ‘phone songs out of the way’ at the beginning of their set.
Addressing the crowd, she said: ‘Good afternoon, good evening, good day, good night.
‘Hello, thank you, it’s very nice to be here, I hope you’re all having a lovely time.
‘We had to get those phone songs out of the way because none of it is relevant today, we all have our phones in our pockets.’
The US rockers continued to rattle through hits Will Anything Happen and Atomic, which ended with the guitarist playing his instrument behind his head.
Debbie came to the edge of the stage to whip up the crowd further as they performed Rapture, which featured intense guitar riffs.
They later changed to a more joyful sound as they moved on to The Tide Is High. Harry got the audience to sing back the tune at one stage, describing it as ‘so pretty” and adding: ‘I love it.’
She reflected on Blondie’s relationship with Glastonbury as they returned to the festival after playing in 1999 and 2014.
Whipping the crowd into a frenzy: The American hitmaker wore black over-knee leather boots as she stormed the stage with the band
Standing out from the crowd: She also opted for futuristic mirrored dark visor sunglasses as she sang
On stage: Blondie launched their set with hit song One Way Or Another and opened the performance with static buzzing across the back screen
She told the crowd: ‘We’ve got a long track record with you guys so thank you very much for that.’
However, many festival goers and viewers at home said they struggled to hear as the band performed.
‘Blondie doesn’t sound the best, can’t hear her!,’ wrote one person on Twitter.
Another shared from the audience: ‘Sound is awful here for Blondie, backing music way too loud and can’t hear any vocals.’
While another television viewer posted: ‘I’m going deaf of my telly isn’t working. I can hardly hear them.’
‘Blondie we can’t hear you hun,’ tweeted someone else.
Nostalgic: She reflected on Blondie’s relationship with Glastonbury as they returned to the festival after playing in 1999 and 2014
Unlucky: However some in the audience at the festival and viewing at home claimed they were unable to hear
And someone else posted: ‘I turned on and saw a bit of rick astley, now watching blondie do one of au or another they need to turn her Mike up I can’t hear her great (sic).’
Meanwhile, Sophie Ellis Bextor looked nothing short of sensational as she took to the Pyramid stage during day five of Glastonbury Festival earlier in the day.
The singer, 44, wowed onlookers at the iconic Worthy Farm in a gold sequinned leotard and tasseled cape.
The show-stopping number featured a figure-hugging waist and high lighted the star’s sensational figure.
She teamed the daring outfit with pink strappy heels and put on a leggy display in the revealing outfit.
Wow! Sophie Ellis Bextor looked nothing short of sensational as she took to the Pyramid stage during day five of Glastonbury Festival on Sunday
Sophie sang her heart out on stage, delighting a selection of the 210,000 expected festival attendees.
Among them, Andrew Garfield and Laura Whitmore were a handful of celebs admiring the star.
Perched in the VIP section, Andrew donned a white t-shirt and navy blue cap for his day at the farm.
Laura looked equally chic in a white blouse and stylish pair of brown sunglasses.
Elton John, Arctic Monkeys and Guns N Roses are among the main headliners at the world-famous festival this weekend.
The farm has over 100 different stages and over 30 ‘areas’, with 900 acres of the Somerset farm.
Incredible: The singer, 44, wowed onlookers at the iconic Worthy Farm in a gold sequinned leotard and tasseled cape
Leggy: The show-stopping number featured a figure-hugging waist and push-up bust, putting her ample assets on full display
Detailed: Cascading from the dress’s shoulder pads, the gold tasseled tendrils covered the tops of the Murder On The Dancefloor hitmaker’s slim arms
Performer: She teamed the daring outfit with pink strappy heels and put on a leggy display in the revealing outfit
Busty: The If I Can’t Dance hitmaker accentuated her natural beauty with a flawless palette of makeup, including blue eyeshadow and a swipe of red lipstick
Star: She wore her brunette tresses half-up-half-down with small strands falling either side of her face
Animated: She looked energised as she sang her heart out on stage, delighting a selection of the 210,000 expected festival attendees
Taking to the stage before her, The Bristol Reggae Orchestra and Windrush Choir kicked off the Pyramid stage at 11am.
Following Sophie’s performance, The Chicks, Yusuf and Cat Stevens and Blondie are all performing until 6.15pm.
Fans then gear up for Lil Nas X who is taking to the stage before Elton John at 9pm.
Pop star Sophie became a viral sensation when she turned her kitchen into a disco amid the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, live-streaming her performances on social media.
Her Christmas tour came after she performer her Kitchen Disco Tour in sold-out venues across the country earlier this year.
The Murder on the Dancefloor star’s show at the London Palladium has even been released as a 24-track live album, called Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco: Live at the London Palladium.
Watching on: Among them, Andrew Garfield and Laura Whitmore were a handful of celebs admiring the star
A-list: Perched in the VIP section, Andrew donned a white t-shirt and navy blue cap for his day at the farm
Happy: Laura looked equally chic in a white blouse and stylish pair of brown sunglasses
All stars: Cat Stevens was also seen performing on day five of this year’s Glastonbury as he took to the stage
Making music: The British singer, 74, took to the stage to perform with his guitar at the festival in Somerset
Keeping it casual: He opted for a white shirt and blue trousers as he sang for the crowd on Sunday
Still smiling! Becky Hill performed a series of her biggest hits
All white? Will Young also featured on the list of singers performing
Jet set: Lewis Hamilton was seen running across the helipad in London’s Battersea as he prepared to travel to Glastonbury on Sunday
All aboard: The British racing driver, 38, was seen ducking down as he went to board the aircraft
Having performed in her kitchen live on social media every Friday night throughout lockdown, Sophie said last year that she was keen to get back on stage for a live audience.
Sophie told the i newspaper: ‘I’m lucky as a creative person that I get to interpret the things that happen in my life and make them part of what I do next.
‘And I can’t imagine not incorporating the kitchen discos, because it’s been so defining, not just for me, but for my whole household.’
She is set to release her seventh studio album this year.
