David Bowie has denied that he will join U2 on the bill for next year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Bowie played at the second Glastonbury in 1971 and press reports suggested he was considering an offer to return for its 40th anniversary next year.

But his website said: "Sadly, there is absolutely no substance to this story."

Stadium rock band Muse could be on the line-up, though. TV host Jonathan Ross said Muse singer Matt Bellamy told him the band were "probably doing it".

Muse appeared on Ross’s chat show on Friday and Ross relayed Bellamy’s off-air comments about the festival via Twitter.

The band headlined the final night of Glastonbury in 2004.

They will play stadium shows at Wembley and Old Trafford next September and bass player Chris Wolstenholme recently told NME that they also expected to play summer festivals.

A Glastonbury spokesman was unavailable for comment.

U2 will headline Glastonbury’s first night on Friday, 25 June, a booking that has sparked passionate debate among the festival faithful.

Some have welcomed the news that one of the world’s biggest bands will appear, while others see them as pompous and past their peak.

Speaking in September about the anniversary, Mr Eavis told the BBC: "The expectations are really high. So we have to deliver on that. We’re trying to get the best headliners in the world."

Bruce Springsteen, Blur and Neil Young headlined this year’s show, which was recently named best major festival at the UK Festival Awards.

Next year’s sold-out event takes place on Mr Eavis’ dairy farm from 25-27 June. No other artists have yet been confirmed, although US crooner Andy Williams announced that he will be performing.

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