Elton John 'couldn't be more excited' to headline Glastonbury 2023 for last UK show

It'll be the final show in Britain for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour

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  British musician Sir Elton John performs onstage during his final Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on October 29, 2022. AFP

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  John praised his fans in Los Angeles for helping him to 'make history tonight' during his final tour performance in North America. AFP

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  The musical megastar wowed crowds at Dodger Stadium with a show that included pyrotechnics, spectacular visuals and a surprise guest appearance by Dua Lipa. AP

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  With his LA shows concluded, John will next visit Australia and New Zealand before embarking on European tour dates. AP

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  The singer's first show at the stadium marked his first time returning to the venue in almost five decades, having last performed there in 1975. AP

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  He played several nights at the Los Angeles stadium. AP

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  This is the singer's final tour.

Sir Elton John has said he "couldn't be more excited" to be headlining at Glastonbury 2023, marking what will be the final UK show of his last tour.

The veteran singer, 75, will top the bill on the Pyramid Stage on June 25 for his first performance at the Worthy Farm festival in Somerset.

After travelling the globe on his marathon Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour over the past few years, John said Glastonbury is a "fitting way" to say goodbye to his British fans.

Scroll through the gallery above to see photos from the Farewell Yellow Brick Road shows in North America

After the announcement on Friday morning, John said: "I couldn't be more excited to be headlining the Pyramid Stage.

"As the end of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour comes into view, there is no more fitting way to say goodbye to my British fans.

"They have been beyond brilliant and have supported me through all the highs and lows of my career.

"Every week I speak to new artists on my radio show and Glastonbury is often cited as a pivotal moment in launching their careers — the festival's genuine, enthusiastic support for the best emerging talent is something I've long admired.

"I've been talking to Emily Eavis about it over the last few weeks and I can't wait to embrace the spirit of the greatest festival in the world. It's going to be incredibly emotional."

A tweet from Glastonbury announcing the news on Friday morning said: "We are incredibly excited to announce that the one and only @EltonOfficial will headline the Pyramid Stage on Sunday night at Glastonbury 2023, for what will be the final UK show of his last-ever tour."

Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis added: "It gives me enormous pleasure to let you know that the one and only Elton John will be making his first ever Glastonbury appearance, headlining the Pyramid Stage on the Sunday night next year.

"This will be the final UK show of Elton's last-ever tour, so we will be closing the festival and marking this huge moment in both of our histories with the mother of all send-offs. We are so very happy to finally bring the Rocket Man to Worthy Farm!"

The famous festival will return to Worthy Farm in Somerset from June 21 to 25 next year.

John's 300-plus-date worldwide tour is due to conclude next summer and will mark his retirement from touring after 52 years on the road.

He has performed across Europe with shows in Milan, Paris and Frankfurt, and he also recently ended the North American leg of the tour at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

The final run will include dates in Australia, New Zealand and Europe next year.

Throughout the tour, the megastar has treated fans to elaborate shows with extravagant costumes, spectacular visuals and classics from his catalogue including Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, Your Song and hit recent number one single Cold Heart, which was a collaboration with pop star Dua Lipa.

In 2018, he announced his farewell world tour after deciding to bow out of live performing to spend more time with his two children.

The ambitious project began in the US in September 2018, but it was brought to a halt due to the pandemic and faced further delays due to John suffering an injury in a fall.

The singer has had a glittering career that has seen him release a hit single in every decade since the 1970s and notch up worldwide record sales of 300 million.

This year at Glastonbury Billie Eilish, Sir Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamar headlined, with Diana Ross performing in the traditional Sunday Legends slot.

McCartney's Saturday headline slot on the Pyramid Stage had the former Beatle become the festival's oldest solo headliner, performing a week after he celebrated his 80th birthday.

Scroll through the gallery below to see photos from Glastonbury 2022

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  Sir Paul McCartney invited Dave Grohl and Bruce Springsteen on stage to perform with him in the former Beatle's Glastonbury headline set on Saturday night. AP Photo

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  Sir Paul McCartney waves the Ukrainian flag. AP Photo

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  Festival goers watch Sir Paul McCartney perform at Glastonbury Festival. AP Photo

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  Olivia Rodrigo performs on the Other Stage. Reuters

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  Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds play on the Pyramid Stage. Getty Images

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  An atmospheric moment from Roisin Murphy's set on the West Holts Stage. Getty Images

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  Yungblud. AP Photo

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  Skunk Anansie. Getty Images

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  Celeste. Getty Images

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  Billy Nomates on the Left Field stage. PA

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  Climate activist Greta Thunberg speaks on the Pyramid Stage. Reuters

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  A 'Glastonbury' sign is illuminated by sunset on day one of the festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Getty Images

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  A festivalgoer walks between the tents in one of the camping areas. The festival has returned for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began. Getty Images

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  Festivalgoers watch a recorded message from the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. EPA

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  More than 200,000 music fans will attend the festival. PA

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  Former Spice Girl Melanie C plays a DJ set in the William's Green tent. PA

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  Festivalgoer Ed proposes to his partner Chelsea as the sun begins to set on day one of the festival. Getty Images

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  A festival attendee is silhouetted as they stand on top of the stone circle at Worthy Farm. PA

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  Pete Doherty from the band 'The Libertines' performs. AP

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  Revellers walk past graffiti attributed to Banksy as they arrive at Worthy Farm. Reuters

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  A festivalgoer goes down a slide at the festival. AFP

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  Thousands of tents are set up across the fields. AFP

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  There may be some inclement weather to deal with at the weekend. AP

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  Ai-Da is heralded as the world's first ultra-realistic robot artist, and has been producing abstract paintings of this year's Glastonbury headliners. PA

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  Festivalgoers take part in a laughter-yoga workshop in the Healing Field. PA

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  A cardboard cut-out depicting Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at the camping site. AFP

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  Festival founder Michael Eavis opening the gates on the first day. PA