The comedian who interrupted Kanye West’s hotly anticipated headline slot at Glastonbury festival has dedicated his stage invasion to Taylor Swift.
Lee Nelson, the comedian turned prankster, ran on to the Pyramid stage during the American rapper’s fourth song before being quickly wrestled off by a security guard. He later tweeted: “I Kanye’d Kanye. That was for you @taylorswift13.”
West famously interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2009, saying: “Taylor, I’m really happy for you, and I’m gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time!”
As Nelson was removed from the stage on Saturday night, West attempted to continue with his song Black Skinhead, but seconds later called a halt and restarted the performance.
I Kanye'd Kanye. That was for you @taylorswift13 #Leezus pic.twitter.com/EQJtZUJqhS
— Lee Nelson (@RealLeeNelson) June 28, 2015
West, dressed in a paint-splattered denim jacket and jeans, launched into his raucous set with Stronger under several rows of lights just a metre from his head.
The headline slot drew tens of thousands to the Pyramid stage, having been one of the most controversial bookings in recent years. An online petition against West’s appearance garnered more than 100,000 signatories.
Television presenter Jonathan Ross was one of the stars watching the show from a viewing platform at the side of the stage, taking selfies with fans before the headline act began.
Rather than attacking his critics, West chose instead to thank fans for turning out and let his performance speak for itself.
Later in the set, he stopped the opening to Touch the Sky, saying “that’s not what we rehearsed in the dressing room” before walking off stage and leaving fans wondering whether he would reappear.
Minutes later, West was lifted high into the sky on a platform elevated several feet above the crowd to perform Touch the Sky and All of the Lights.
He closed the 90-minute set with the track All Falls Down from his debut album, before declaring: “You are now watching the greatest living rock star on the planet.”
Saturday’s interruption is not the first high-profile prank by Nelson, real name Simon Brodkin. He managed to sneak into a photograph with the England football team before last year’s World Cup in Brazil.
Some people were saying Kanye shouldn't headline Glastonbury so I thought I'd give him a hand. pic.twitter.com/7KFk2kgjsM
— Lee Nelson (@RealLeeNelson) June 27, 2015
