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Glastonbury viewers fume as iconic band’s final ever performance ‘snubbed’ by BBC

Iconic rock band The Searchers have bowed out after nearly 70 years of performing, but the group’s last ever performance at Glastonbury Festival wasn’t shown on TV

The Searchers have rounded off their incredible career after nearly 70 years of touring(Image: PA)

BBC viewers have rushed to complain as a legendary act’s Glastonbury set wasn’t shown.

The iconic festival has returned to Worthy Farm in Somerset – it kicked off on Wednesday and will dazzle crowds until Sunday, June 29. The 1975 headlined the Pyramid Stage on Saturday (June 27) night and other huge acts set to play include the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, Neil Young and Sir Rod Stewart.

However, fans of The Searchers were left bitterly disappointed. The Liverpool legends rounded off almost 70 years of performing with a special performance on Glastonbury’s Acoustic Stage on Friday night at 8pm.

Even Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney turned up to support John McNally and Frank Allen from the group for their Glasto debut. But fans were furious to find that the set wasn’t available to watch on the BBC.

Glastonbury viewers were fuming as their set on the Acoustic Stage on Friday night (June 27) wasn’t shown(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

They took to social media to share their disappointment, with one writing: “So disappointed @BBC @glastonbury you couldn’t show the Searchers last ever performance. Disappointed is an understatement!!!!”

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Another complained: “The @BBC producers not recording, showing or streaming TheSearchers final ever gig at #Glastonbury is a flipping disgrace. #McCartney turned up but you couldn’t bother. Merseyside royalty since 1957.

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Another said: “Surely The Searchers should be on one of the feeds live, last ever show.” A fourth added: “Really sad and unhappy that the Searchers are playing their last show at Glastonbury yet it won’t be shown on the BBC or anywhere else. This deeply saddens me and is not cheering me up while I’m unwell.”

The band formed in 1959 and started their incredible journey at the iconic Cavern Club amidst peers like The Beatles, Gerry and The Pacemakers, and The Swinging Blue Jeans. The Cavern Club bid their “bittersweet farewell” to the beloved group, reports the Mirror.

The 1975 headlined Glasto on Friday (June 27)(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

They wrote: “We know they’ll take the same energy, warmth, and timeless tunes to the Glastonbury stage as they have to every gig over the years – from the cellar of The Cavern Club to the bright lights of international fame.

“While this may be their final show, their legacy will echo on – in their records, in the countless musicians they’ve influenced, and of course, here at The Cavern Club, where it all began. We’ll be cheering them on at Glastonbury – and we know the whole of Liverpool will be too.”

One of the original band members, John McNally, spoke to the BBC about his unprecedented debut: “A Glastonbury debut at 83-can anyone top that? I don’t think life gets any better, does it?

“There will be a few nerves, but in a good way, and we’ll be nicely warmed up from our shows in June. We can’t wait to see our fans again for this incredible final farewell.”

Frank Allen gave a nod to his incredible six-decade stint with the band: “I have played shows across the world with The Searchers for over 60 years; Glastonbury has always been an ambition that has eluded us – until now.

“The Searchers are finally performing at the greatest music festival of them all. What a way to round off a tour and a career. I can’t wait to get up on stage and give our fans one final blast.”

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