One of the biggest selling artistes of all time, John has never played Britain’s leading music festival, and said an appearance on the Pyramid Stage on the last night of the 2023 event would be the perfect way to bow out in Britain.

The 75-year-old activist and singer of hits such as “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man” is coming towards the end of a “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour after more than 50 years on the road.

He had his first big hit in 1970 with “Your Song”, the same year the first Glastonbury festival took place in southwest England, when tickets cost £1 and revellers drank free milk from the farm.

“Every week I speak to new artistes 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,” he said in a statement.

Glastonbury is unique in selling out before any headliners have been announced, given the strength of previous lineups with stars ranging from David Bowie and Dolly Parton to Bruce Springsteen and Beyonce.

Eighty-year-old Paul McCartney played at last year’s Glastonbury, becoming one of its oldest headliners as the festival returned after a three-year absence due to the pandemic.

Tickets for the 2023 event sold out in just over an hour.