Viral Glastonbury festival-goer during Elton John speaks out about why he was so emotional

A festival goer who went viral after crying to Elton John's Glastonbury performance has explained why he got so emotional.

Greg Hoyle, from Haywards Heath, West Sussex, was seen welling up during Sir Elton's rendition of Candle in the Wind.

BBC

The 41-year-old has since explained his reasons for getting choked up during the moving number, originally written as a tribute for Marilyn Monroe and later repurposed for Princess Diana.

Hoyle said that the song reminds him of his late mother Rita, who sadly passed away from motor neurone disease at the age of 71 in 2018.

According to Hoyle, Candle in the Wind was his mother's favourite song.

The gym teacher also said that his mother was a big fan of Princess Diana, for whom the song was sang at her funeral in 1997.

Hoyle explained: "Meaningful songs are the most important…something that has a particular message."

Originally from Linfield, Hoyle's parents owned The Bent Arms Pub, which he now owns with his four siblings.

Sir Elton's Glastonbury set was branded the 'most iconic of all time' by Hoyle, who said it was 'a dream to see Elton John live and up close'.

BBC

Also singled out for praise were Lewis Capaldi, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Hoyle's emotional reaction didn't go unnoticed by viewers at home.

One tweeted: "That guy crying to candle in the wind. I feel you."

Another wrote: "The guy in the clown wig crying to Candle in the Wind is the best festival footage I’ve ever seen."

Elton's performance at the Somerset festival is set to be his last ever in the UK, as he is set to retire from touring after nearly fifty years.

His final farewell was watched by his husband, David Furnish, and their two sons, as well as David Walliams and the Spice Girls, who reportedly joined the Captain Fantastic singer for a glitzy after-show party.

Andrew Garfield, Taron Egerton and Paul McCartney were also rumoured to be in attendance at Elton's star-studded shin dig.

Hoyle wasn't the only one feeling reflective during the set, as Elton dedicated one song to the late George Michael.

On what would have been Michael's 60th birthday, Elton played Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - which had been re-released as a duet between the two of them in the early 1990s.

Elton said: "This is a very special day today, I wondered how I was going to approach it.

"One of Britain's most fantastic singers and songwriters was George Michael. He was my friend, he was an inspiration, and today would have been his 60th birthday, so I want to dedicate this song to his memory.

"All the music he left us with is so gorgeous. This is for you George."