U2 have been forced to cancel their headlining slot at this year’s Glastonbury festival due to injury.

The band’s singer Bono has been advised to rest after undergoing emergency surgery on his back. The injury has been described as “serious”.

In a statement, Bono said he was “heartbroken”, adding: “We really wanted to be there to do something really special - we even wrote a song especially for the Festival."

Organiser Michael Eavis said Bono had called him personally to inform him that the band would be unable to play.

"It was obvious from our telephone conversation that U2 are hugely disappointed,” Eavis said.

U2 were due to open this year’s festival, which runs from June 25-27.

Eavis said the event had “no comment” on who would replace U2, although Dizzee Rascal and Coldplay have been rumoured as possible stand-ins.

(by Jason Gregory)