Glastonbury Festival reveals giant tribute to NHS - with help from Michael Sheen

Virgin Radio

20 Jun 2023, 07:41

Ahead of the festival kicking off later this week, Glastonbury has unveiled a huge tribute to the NHS… literally!

Taking to social media, the Glasto organisers shared a video of their tribute, which sits in front of the Pyramid Stage. 

The clip shows people working on a mural, before pulling away to reveal the giant words, “We stand with the NHS.” The initialism appears inside a rainbow-coloured heart.

Actor Michael Sheen retweeted the video, which contains part of Aneurin Bevan’s speech about the NHS bill from 1946. Whilst no credit is given to the voiceover, NME reports that it is Michael Sheen who is providing the recitation, and Caitlin Moran tweeted: “Welsh man - @michaelsheen - passionately quoting Nye Bevan on the NHS at Glastonbury is absolutely a thing that will make me cry.”

Meanwhile, Carol Vorderman tweeted: "Our Welshman @michaelsheen reading the words of Aneurin Bevan, the truly fine politician who fought for and spearheaded the creation of the NHS. Thank you@glastonbury 🙏"

Bevan was a Welsh Labour Party politician, Minister of Health in Clement Attlee's government in which he spearheaded the creation of the British National Health Service.

The voiceover in the video says: “I believe it will lift the shadow from millions of homes. It will keep very many people alive, who might otherwise be dead. It will relieve suffering. It will produce higher standards for the medical profession. It will be a great contribution towards the wellbeing of the common people of Great Britain.” 

One fan commented on Instagram: “As an NHS worker, a Glastonbury attender and a human being, I can safely say, this is utterly wonderful! 🌈 💕 See you soon Glasto! 🤩”

Another wrote: “Thank you Glastonbury from an NHS worker. See you in the field ❤️”

Glastonbury’s 2023 headliners are Elton John, Guns N’ Roses, and Arctic Monkeys. However, the latter band have been forced to cancel tonight’s gig in Dublin. Taking to Instagram to announce the news, the Sheffield act said: “Alex [Turner, lead singer] is suffering from acute laryngitis, and following medical advice, has been ordered to rest. 

“Alex and the band apologise for the huge disappointment this will inevitably cause to all their Irish fans.”

At this stage, it is not known whether their Glasto appearance will be affected.

Michael Sheen shared some news this week about his comedy, Staged, with David Tennant.