Iconic US star savages Glastonbury after pulling out leaving festival boss Emily Eavis scrambling for new headliner

I broke the story Neil Young had been booked to headline Glastonbury, 16 years after he last played on the Pyramid Stage.

But lots has happened since last month. He confirmed he was booked and has now spectacularly pulled out – claiming it is a “corporate turn-off” due to its broadcast deal with the BBC.

It has caused a huge headache for Glasto boss Emily Eavis, who faces a last-minute scramble to book another huge name to top the bill at the June festival in Somerset.

The Heart of Gold great said on his website: “We were told that BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way we were not interested in.

“It seems Glastonbury is now under corporate control and is not the way I remember it being.”

However, Neil did tease he will still be performing live in the coming months.

He added: “Hope to see you at one of the other venues on the tour.”

With many major artists’ touring plans locked in more than a year in advance, it will now be a struggle to find a replacement.

And I’ve no doubt there will be a lengthy wait until it’s confirmed who will be playing.

I’ve previously revealed The 1975 and Stevie Wonder are due to headline, while Sir Rod Stewart will take the Sunday afternoon legends slot.

Now it’s time to get one of our brilliant female superstars at the top of that line-up.

Leo has a ball at beach

Leonardo DiCaprio swapped raucous parties for pickleball as he enjoyed a wholesome game with girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti.

The Italian model wore a silver bikini for the game, which was made all the more appealing by being on a Caribbean beach.

The couple, who have been together for 18 months, are holidaying on the island of St Barts and teamed up to compete against two pals on the sand.

Leo first met Vittoria at the premiere of his film Killers of the Flower Moon, at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023.

Things have flourished since then, and judging by this romantic getaway, it will be smooth sailing well into 2025.

Beyonce Blue Ivy legal win

Beyonce has won a 12-year battle to trademark her daughter Blue Ivy’s name, in her latest move to turn her into a star.

She was victorious in a US case against a Wisconsin boutique called Blue Ivy Events, which has used the name since before Blue Ivy was born.

The owner previously opposed the bid for legal rights to the name, but the courts have now decided in Beyonce’s favor.

I told last year how Blue Ivy was being courted to become a pop star herself, and has voiced the character of Kiara in film Mufasa: The Lion King. On Christmas Day she joined her mum on stage for a half-time performance at an NFL game in Texas.

That’s a life any 12-year-old would be jealous of.

Awards season will get off to a star-studded start on Sunday, as a host of big names have been confirmed to hand out prizes at the Golden Globes.

Elton John, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sharon Stone, Salma Hayek, Jeff Goldblum, Kate Hudson, Michael Keaton, Andrew Garfield, Vin Diesel and Melissa McCarthy are among those who will be on hand for the annual ceremony in the US.

Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana’s musical crime comedy Emilia Perez is expected to win big after getting ten nominations.

Idris’ £9m Luther lift

Idris Elba has banked £9million after making the first Luther movie.

Fresh accounts for his performing arts company IE7 Ltd show he raked in the huge sum in 2023, the year the cop movie was released.

Equity in the firm jumped from £1million to a monster £10million. There could soon be another bumper payday as Idris has told fans to keep “fingers crossed” for a sequel.

Further millions are expected to be banked for his roles in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and A Very Sonic Christmas last year.

Nicole Scherzinger and Thom Evans can still get hot and sweaty after five years together.

She shared this video of themselves in the gym on New Year’s Day, which put me to shame as I was in bed after being struck down with a bug.

Nic wrote on Instagram: “First workout of the year and it’s all about balance: Train hard, dance harder.”

Having a bloke as fit as Thom there would certainly be a motivator.