Glastonbury Faced Axe

Glastonbury was almost cancelled for being "too big, too muddy and too horrible".

Michael Eavis - who founded the popular music event - has revealed the British festival was nearly scrapped after acts complained it had become too commercial.

He said: "Last year I thought that maybe we'd got to the end and we'd have to bite the bullet and fold it all up. A lot of the bands were saying Glastonbury had become too big, too muddy and too horrible. At one time the bands used to come on board."

The 73-year-old farmer was prepared to abandon the event - which is held in Somerset, South West England - until he confirmed Bruce Springsteen for the 2009 event.

He explained to Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "I was prepared to walk away. But to come back from the dead of last year to sell out this year is amazing. Getting Springsteen as a headliner is so exciting. I saw him play two-and-a-half hours in Cardiff and that's what turned me on to the idea of having him. I'd never seen him before although I'd heard the occasional record. I was so blown out by him I had to make it happen."

Eavis says he has now learnt his lesson and will be returning to the festival's rock roots after being criticised last year for inviting hip-hop artist Jay-Z to headline.

He said: "I don't think we'll ever go down the pop route for getting a headliner for Glastonbury. Madonna hasn't been asked by us."

This year's festival will be held over the weekend of June 24 to June 28.