What's worse than being asked to perform at Donald Trump's inauguration next month? Being asked not to perform at Donald Trump's inauguration next month.
That's the situation that Italian opera star Andrea Bocelli has found himself in, as by all accounts Trump has declined his offer to sing at the Washington event.
Bocelli and his wife are apparently 'long-time friends' of Trump's, but his services are not required - as confirmed by the chairman of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, Thomas J. Barrack. He told CNBC: “Bocelli and his wife … have been friends of Trump since the very beginning. [But] Donald said, ‘You don’t need to. We’re not in that kind of a framework. Thanks very much for the offer. You’re my friend. You are always welcome at the White House’.”
"Not in that kind of a framework" may be the new 'technical difficulties'.
Bocelli has apparently been receiving a lot of online abuse over the rumours that he was due to play, but has not responded to the latest development.
Maybe it was because 'Time to Say Goodbye' may be more prophetic than The Donald wants to admit?