Lionel Richie Confirmed to Play at Glastonbury Festival 2015

Lionel Richie is the first artist to be confirmed to play at the Glastonbury Festival in 2015.

The Dancing on the Ceiling singer will play the Sunday teatime slot, organisers have confirmed.

Festival co-organiser Emily Eavis, daughter of Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis, said the confirmation of The Commodores star is a coup for the festival.

"We are over the moon. We felt very lucky to get the call from a true Motown legend asking to play next year," she said.

"He's got so many amazing songs, to see him perform here on the farm is just going to be wonderful."

The former Commodores star, whose hits include All Night Long, Dancing on the Ceiling and Hello, is the first artist confirmed for the 2015 event.

His 28 June set on Glastonbury's famed Pyramid stage will mark the US singer's first UK festival appearance.

Speaking about the eagerly anticipated appearance Richie said he was "really excited to play Glastonbury next year as it's one of the most iconic festivals in the world".

The Hello singer follows in the footsteps of country star Dolly Parton, who played the Sunday teatime slot at this year's festival, as well as Neil Diamond, Dame Shirley Bassey and Sir Tom Jones.

"It has a phenomenal history and the alumni of artists who have previously played is incredible so I'm honoured to be joining that club, " he added. "It will be a really special moment for me and I can't wait to share it with everyone.

"I can now say 'Yes, I'm playing Glastonbury'," the 65-year-old said.

Richie, who has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, had earlier announced plans to tour the UK in 2015.

Tickets for next year's event at Worthy Farm in Somerset sold out in less than 30 minutes, before any acts on the line-up had even been announced.