Glastonbury Festival crisis as one of three headliners 'pulls out in row over fee'

Emily Eavis has been left scrambling for a third headliner for BBC Glastonbury, according to reports.

Glastonbury Festival is reportedly in chaos after Madonna's asking fee was deemed "too high" by organisers - and she pulled out. Emily Eavis has been left scrambling for a third headliner for BBC Glastonbury, according to reports.

A Glastonbury source told The Mail on Sunday: "To be honest it's been a real blow not being able to nail down a deal with Madonna." Dua Lipa and Coldplay are set to headline the Friday and Saturday nights.

"Emily was so keen to have her play the legend slot. After she saw Madonna's tour in London in October she raved about her on Instagram, something she rarely does without Glastonbury in mind," the source added. "But everyone knows that after last year, and the criticism over the gender balance, we've got to have big name females heading the line-up. Dua Lipa is a real catch.

READ MORE UK set for -10C snow before Christmas with exact date flurries hit confirmed

"Now we need another. There is still some hope it an be resurrected but it's pretty unlikely. There are money issues at the root of this, it's a real shame." There are reports Rihanna could be in line to be named the third headliner.

Speaking in October, organiser Emily, daughter of Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis, revealed that a huge US star's team, believed to be Madonna's, had got in touch with her saying that she was free. She said: "2024 is still a little up in the air, and I thought it was taking shape, then last week I just got a call, and this is what happens if you wait a little longer, because often we'll be booked up from July.

"This year we're holding out for a little bit longer and last week I got a call from a really big American artist saying this person's around next year, and I was like, 'Oh my God, this is incredible.' Thank God we held the slot."