Glastonbury boss confirms Arctic Monkeys will headline after Alex Turner illness

It’s all systems go for Arctic Monkeys as Glastonbury’s organiser has confirmed the band will headline the festival tonight after Alex Turner fell ill.

Earlier this week, the Do I Wanna Know hitmakers had to cancel a performance in Dublin after Alex, 37, had been struck down with laryngitis, which is inflammation of the larynx (voice box). 

It sparked fears that he wouldn’t recover in time to lead Arctic Monkeys’ headline set at Glastonbury on Friday evening. 

However, Emily Eavis who runs the festival has announced the rocker will make it to the Pyramid Stage on Friday evening.

‘They’re on,’ she told Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2.

‘It was a little bit close there for a minute and we were thinking about whether we should have a serious back-up plan in place, but, no, thankfully there on, so that’s great.’

Speaking to BBC earlier, Emily revealed: ‘He’s recovering, I’m sure we’re going to be all right.

‘We’ve got a couple of back-up plans if not. We’ve always got back-up plans for everything.’ 

There have been positive signs that the show will go on as planned, with Alex’s girlfriend Louise Verneuil confirming that she was heading down to Worthy Farm on Thursday afternoon, while trucks marked with ‘Arctic Monkeys’ were spotted parked at the site later that evening. 

Bookmakers were quick to share the likely replacement act if Arctic Monkeys were indeed forced to drop out, with Foo Fighters leading the charge. However, they are now reported to be appearing as the surprise act over the weekend. 

Next on the list is Pulp, with odds of 11/8, while Watermelon Sugar singer Harry Styles is said to have odds of 4/1 of replacing the Arctic Monkeys if needed. 

Arctic Monkeys were due to perform at Marley Park in Dublin, Ireland on Tuesday but announced the cancellation in a statement, which said: ‘We are extremely sorry to announce the cancellation of Arctic Monkeys’ show at Marlay Park in Dublin tomorrow,’ they wrote on social media.

‘Alex is suffering from acute laryngitis and following medical advice, has been ordered to rest.

‘Alex and the band apologise for the huge disappointment this will inevitably cause to all their Irish fans.’

‘Full refunds will be credited back to the ticket purchaser’s account,’ they concluded.

Glastonbury kicks off tonight with Arctic Monkeys headlining the Pyramid Stage, followed by Guns N’ Roses on Saturday and Sir Elton John on Sunday.

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