Kanye's Rollercoaster Glasto Ride

Kanye's Rollercoaster Glasto Ride

Kanye West gave a rollercoaster headline performance of highs and lows at the Glastonbury Festival which saw a prankster invade the stage and the rapper elevated on a crane above the huge crowds.

He made clear what he thought of recent controversy over his unlikely billing, telling the audience: "You are now watching the greatest living rock star on the planet."

After a dramatic opening appearing crouched under a low-level panel of lights, the multi-award-winning Grammy star was left thrown when comedian Lee Nelson ran on stage holding a microphone just minutes into the set.

West took some time to recover after Nelson was forced off stage and re-started his song Black Skinhead.

He was the second headline act of the festival, with Florence + The Machine stunning crowds on Friday while The Who will close the festival on the world-famous Pyramid stage tonight.

Today will also see exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama make a speech at the diverse festival. His appearance, his first at the festival, was officially announced on Thursday.

West's expletive-ridden set was sometimes confusing for the audience with long pauses and dips into darkness suggesting possible technical problems.

But the hip-hop star had the crowds fooled when he appeared to have ended the gig early, only for him to be revealed minutes later high above them on a platform.

The stunt saw him win back the audience who sang along to his hit songs from the start of his career, including Good Life, Gold Digger and All Falls Down.

He also gushed over his wife Kim Kardashion, who was supporting him backstage, telling the campers she " brought this poetry out of me".

The couple, who are expecting their second child, arrived in Somerset by helicopter.

News that the abrasive singer was given the slot had received a mixed reaction from fans,some of whom felt strongly that it was too much of a departure from the traditional Glastonbury roots while co-organiser Emily Eavis received online abuse over the move.

Earlier supporting act Pharrell Williams performed a lively show cheered on by A-listers Bradley Cooper, Chris Martin and Lewis Hamilton from the side of the stage.

Other celebrities spotted soaking up the diverse Glastonbury atmosphere have included singer Adele, designer Stella McCartney, comedian James Corden and recently retired footballer Rio Ferdinand.

Paloma Faith wowed crowds with her set, looking glamorous in a tuxedo-style dress and cat ears, while Jessie Ware, Kate Tempest and George Ezra were among other highlights of the day.

The 135,000 campers who enjoyed glorious sunshine yesterday are expected to brave more showers today, adding to the already muddy fields.

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