Muse cancel gig after drummer's dad dies at Glastonbury

The drummer of rock band Muse was in mourning today for his father who died of an apparent heart attack shortly after seeing him in action at Glastonbury Festival.

Bill Howard, 62, father of drummer Dominic, collapsed near the main Pyramid stage at 1.15am yesterday and was pronounced dead at the Festival Medical Centre half an hour later. It is understood he died of a heart attack.

Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious and his family were asking to be left in peace at this “dreadfully difficult” time.

The band were the top act on the third and final night of the event.

A statement released on behalf of the band read: “It is with great sadness that we must announce that Mr Bill Howard, father of Muse drummer Dominic, died earlier this morning at the Glastonbury Festival, a short time after the band’s headlining set.

“Mr Howard collapsed on site at 1.15am and died shortly after. Avon and Somerset Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

“In this dreadfully difficult time, we request that the privacy of Dom’s family and friends is respected. Our sincere and heartfelt sympathy extends to Dominic and the Howard family.”

The band cancelled their show in Bergamo, Italy, tomorrow with decisions on other shows pending.

It was the second death at this year’s festival.

Neil Clinnings, 24, from the Cleveleys area of Lancashire, was found collapsed in the early hours of Saturday morning in a car park outside the festival site. His death is believed to be drugs related.