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'IT'S SO SAD'

Taylor Swift on missing Glastonbury and spending lockdown with boyfriend Joe Alwyn

Laura Armstrong
Hannah Hope

Published: 1:50, 28 Jun 2020
Updated: 8:29, 24 Jul 2020

TAYLOR Swift should be just hours away from playing her biggest-ever gig – on Glastonbury’s hallowed Pyramid stage in front of 120,000 fans.

But instead Taylor — who was booked for the coveted Sunday-night finale to this weekend’s axed festival — will probably be snuggled on her sofa with Brit actor beau Joe Alwyn, her cats Meredith and Olivia, a glass of her favourite Pinot Grigio and an old movie.

Taylor Swift was just hours away from playing her biggest-ever gig Credit: BackGrid

More than TEN MILLION viewers from around the globe had been expected to tune into live BBC1 coverage of the pop sensation’s first Glasto gig — one of the biggest shows in the event’s history.

Playing the iconic festival, at Michael Eavis's Worthy Farm in Somerset, had been a dream about to come true for Taylor.

She said: “I wanted to perform in places I hadn’t performed in as much, do things I hadn’t done — like Glastonbury.

"I haven’t done festivals, really, since early in my career. They’re fun and bring people together in a really cool way.”

Instead she will probably be snuggled on her sofa with Brit actor beau Joe AlwynCredit: Getty

Of her now shattered dream, caused by the Covid-19 troubles, she added: “It’s so sad. But I know it’s the right decision.”

Yet while millions have been devastated by the blanket cancelling of music shows during the pandemic, Taylor has been using the enforced break to rest up from the bright lights of fame.

The Shake If Off singer said: “Pop music can feel like The Hunger Games, and we’re gladiators. Over-analysing every-thing makes it feel really intense.”

But she added of her new normal, hunkered down with boyfriend Joe: “A lot of people have been watching lots and lots of TV in this time of quarantine and I’ve been watching some old films I hadn’t seen before.

Taylor said she loves spending time with Joe Credit: PA:Press Association

“I love spending a full evening cooking a meal, while sipping a glass of wine and listening to old music, then watching an old film.

"I hadn’t seen Rear Window with Grace Kelly, by Alfred Hitchcock. It was phenomenal. During this time, I’ve also done a lot of FaceTime — especially with family, which is hilarious.”

Taylor has also been busy supporting Pride month, including protesting over how the census in her home country of the States fails to recognise transgender and non-binary people.

She said: “I got my census the other day and there were two choices for gender — male and female.

The superstar also added 'Pop music can feel like The Hunger Games'Credit: Lion's Gates Films

"That erasure of transgender and non-binary people was so upsetting to me.

"We still have so far to go in terms of equality and protections for LGBTQ people and people in the trans community.”

At least Taylor is still using her voice on a world stage, even if not the Pyramid one.

The singer has also taken the time to watch movies while in lockdown and described Rear Window with Grace Kelly, by Hitchcock as 'phenomenal'Credit: Getty

NO GLASTO NOSH

EMILY Eavis will miss Glasto’s nosh.

The festival organiser said: “The food has got better, we got rid of the rubbish vans just churning out burgers. Now everyone makes a real effort, with handmade stalls.

“We live in Somerset so don’t get much variety. If you want a curry you drive for 20 minutes. But for a week, everything is on your doorstep.”

THE JO MUST GO ON

JO Whiley works some festival chic as she presents the BBC’s 2020 coverage from Worthy Farm – in an empty field with just co-host Mark Radcliffe and some cows.

Glasto queen Jo, in a tasseled jacket and silver dress, interviewed PULP star Jarvis Cocker about the band’s first gig there in 1995 – when they filled in for The Stone Roses after guitarist John Squire broke his collarbone.

Jo Whiley is presenting the BBC’s 2020 coverage of Glastonbury in an empty field Credit: Instagram

He said: “The only reason we got the call was Common People had been a hit, and that was the end of May. We didn’ t have an LP to follow it up with.

“The call came while we were in the studio, so we had to stop work and discuss it.

"We were scared, it was such a step up, but we couldn’t turn it down. All the hotels were booked, so we bought some tents and stayed on site.”

Jo works some festival chic as she wears a tasseled jacket and silver dress with co-host Mark RadcliffeCredit: Instagram

LEWIS'S GLASTO TEE

LEWIS Capaldi's entrance for his gig last year was Glasto gold – as he mocked his feud with Noel Gallagher.

The Someone You Loved singer played a mix of Noel’s jibes on big screens before strutting on stage in an Oasis-style parka which he opened to reveal a T-shirt with his foe’s face inside a big love heart.

Sadly, Lewis may no longer fit that famous tee – as he has larded up in lockdown. He said on US radio: “I’ve put on 14lb, I’ve put on love handles. It’s fine. It’s a pandemic, baby. Like every-one else, I’ve been at home with idle hands.” Strumming should get the guns back soon

BEEB’S EXTRA MILEY

EVERY year the festival is awash with secret gigs and surprise performances – so it seems fitting the Beeb has included several Special Guest slots on its dedicated Glastonbury iPlayer channel.

We can reveal US superstar Miley Cyrus's bombshell set from last year’s sun-kissed event will be shown at 3.30pm today on the Glastonbury Experience live stream.

Miley Cyrus's set from last year will be shown at 3.30pm today on the Glastonbury Experience live streamCredit: Getty

Miley’s hour-long set features guest appearances from her country legend dad Billy Ray Cyrus and rapper Lil Nas X.

Former Hannah Montana actress Miley also belts out her Wrecking Ball, We Can’ t Stop and Party In The USA.

We doubt we’ve seen the last of Miley down at Worthy Farm.

GOT GLASTO 'CANCELLED'

LAURENCE Fox was a Glasto fixture for years – raving with now ex Billie Piper.

But the White Lines actor may struggle for his VIP pass next year after his controversial race comments on Newsnight in January. He claims he has been “cancelled” and is struggling for work.

He’s even asked fans to pay up to £100 a month to read his rants on members’ site Patreon. Desperate.

BECKY UP FOR 2021

POP queen Becky Hill is determined to perform at Glastonbury next year.

The singer, and second-most listened to British female artist on Spotify, would definitely get revellers dancing with her hits Gecko and Wish You Well.

Pop star Becky Hill said 'It’s a dream of mine to sing at Glastonbury' and will make sure she performs next year

She said: “It’s a dream of mine to sing at Glastonbury.

"I went in 2013 to perform with Rudimental but had the worst tonsillitis and was bed-bound on the tour bus for the whole day."

NOT TOO HIGH, MARTIN

COLDPLAY frontman Chris Martin is such royalty at Worthy Farm that when he visits over winter, while visiting family in nearby Devon, they let him CLIMB the Pyramid stage.

He said: “I like to climb up the structure and just think about it. It’s true, I’m really not joking. I visit the farm and they let me. Every time I do it they say, ‘Don’t go any higher than that’.”