Metallica have been announced as the third and final headliner of this summer's Glastonbury festival. The metal legends will join the previously announced Arcade Fire and Kasabian atop the Worthy Farm bill and the fan reaction has been somewhat mooted.

Speculation had been rife that any one of Prince, Kate Bush, Oasis or even Led Zeppelin would be revealed as the mysterious third headliner but all that speculation was put to bed last night when Glasto head honcho Michael Eavis announced that Metallica would be the first ever metal band to headline the world's most famous festival. Interestingly, this represents something of an about turn for Glasto as Eavis has gone on the record in previous years as saying that he didn't think metal bands would be suitable for a headline slot at his festival, but perhaps Metallica's iconic status makes the immune to rules such as this.

Eavis said upon the big reveal: "Metallica are one of the most popular bands in the world. And they really are a phenomenal live act. This is a band that can sell out stadiums in pretty much every country on the planet."

Glastonbury will take place across the weekend of June 27thy to 29th and, in addition to the headliners, the likes of Jack White, The Black Keys, Pixies, Dolly Parton, Elbow and Robert Plant are all set to perform.