Brian May has confirmed that Queen will not be performing at Glastonbury next year due to a disagreement over badger culling. The 78-year-old musician has consistently stated that his band would not play at the renowned Somerset festival because of his conflict with founder Michael Eavis over badger culling in rural areas, and Brian has reiterated that his Bohemian Rhapsody group won’t make an exception for next year’s event. Speaking to the Daily Mail, animal rights activist Brian said: “I wouldn’t do Glastonbury next year because of the politics of the people who run it, unless that changes, I won’t do it.

“They enjoy killing badgers, and they believe it’s for sport, and that’s something I cannot support because we’ve been trying to save these badgers for years, and they are still being killed for years, so that’s the reason we’re missing out on it.” When asked if Queen have repeatedly declined Glastonbury appearances, Brian insisted they haven’t been invited due to his stance.

He explained: “I don’t think the conversation of us doing has ever taken place because they know how I feel.”

Dairy farmer Eavis, 90, previously labelled May a “danger to farming” over his views on badger culling, which is carried out to prevent the spread of bovine TB.

Cattle infected with the debilitating disease are culled, and the entire herd can be at risk.

While Brian has now reiterated his political stance on the festival, he previously admitted it is “not impossible” that Queen could play at Glastonbury.

Speaking in 2023, he told The Guardian: “You can never say never, but it’s a very big matter of principle to me.

“I am convinced, more than ever, that the badger cull is the greatest crime this country has ever committed against wildlife. It’s completely pointless and the tragedy is immense: you’re talking about nearly half a million native animals killed and it’s not benefited farmers one bit.

“The fact that Michael Eavis supports badger-culling is difficult for me to swallow.

“I don’t really want to endorse his festival, but it’s not impossible that we could sit down and talk. I’ll talk to anyone – that’s the way we go forward.”