Entertainment

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke makes ‘strong and stable’ dig during Glastonbury set

The band were headlining the first night of the festival.
The band were headlining the first night of the festival. The band were headlining the first night of the festival.

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke appeared to make reference to Prime Minister Theresa May by repeatedly reciting “strong and stable” during the band’s headlining set at Glastonbury.

The group walked on stage to huge cheers as they headlined the first night of music at this year’s festival.

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke makes ‘strong and stable’ dig during Glastonbury set
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke makes ‘strong and stable’ dig during Glastonbury set (Yui Mok/PA Wire/PA Images)
Thom Yorke takes a bow (Yui Mok/PA)

Their appearance marks 20 years since the band’s heavily criticised 1997 show at the Somerset festival and the release of hit album OK Computer.

Their return brought mixed reactions from the crowd as some festival-goers held up banners in protest against the group’s decision to perform in Tel Aviv.

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke makes ‘strong and stable’ dig during Glastonbury set
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke makes ‘strong and stable’ dig during Glastonbury set (Yui Mok/PA Wire/PA Images)
Yorke referenced Theresa May’s election campaign slogan (Yui Mok/PA)

While some waved Palestinian flags, one banner read: “Israel is an apartheid state. Radiohead, don’t play there.”

Yorke also appeared to reference Mrs May’s General Election campaign slogan as he began chanting “strong and stable” during Myxomatosis.

The band also treated fans to renditions of Let Down, Exit Music (For A Film) and Full Stop.

Earlier, Hollywood star Johnny Depp apologised for joking about assassinating US President Donald Trump.

The Hollywood actor received a rock star welcome at the event on Thursday night at Cineramageddon – a drive-in cinema on the Somerset site.

Johnny Depp at Glastonbury (Yui Mok/PA)
Johnny Depp at Glastonbury (Yui Mok/PA)
Johnny Depp at Glastonbury (Yui Mok/PA)

He told the crowd: “I think he needs help and there are a lot of wonderful dark, dark places he could go.

“It’s just a question – I’m not insinuating anything.

“By the way, this is going to be in the press. It will be horrible.

Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp (Yui Mok/PA Wire/PA Images)
The Hollywood star takes it easy (Yui Mok/PA)

“I like that you are all a part of it.

“When was the last time an actor assassinated a president?

“I want to qualify, I am not an actor. I lie for a living.

“However, it has been a while and maybe it is time.”

Donald Trump was the target of an outburst by Depp (Susan Walsh/AP)

In a statement to People magazine, Depp said: “I apologise for the bad joke I attempted last night in poor taste about President Trump.

“It did not come out as intended, and I intended no malice. I was only trying to amuse, not to harm anyone.”

He made a second appearance at the festival on Friday when he joined Kris Kristofferson for a live performance on the main Pyramid Stage.

Earlier in the day, Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook led a minute’s silence on stage to remember those who died in the Manchester and London attacks and the Grenfell Tower fire.

Glastonbury Festival 2017 Preparations
Glastonbury Festival 2017 Preparations
An aerial view of the Cineramageddon drive-in movie theatre (Ben Birchall/PA)

Hook’s daughter was at the Ariana Grande gig at Manchester Arena on May 22 and was taken to hospital, where she spent time on crutches after being trampled.

Elsewhere, Elbow played an unannounced gig at The Park Stage – delighting thousands of fans with hits including The Bones Tf You.

The 7.30pm Friday slot had been marked as TBA in the festival line-up.