Foo Fighters revealed as first Glastonbury 2015 headliner

The first big headliner for Glastonbury 2015 has been announced: Foo Fighters will be performing on the Friday night.

Singer Dave Grohl confirmed the band's return to the festival during an acceptance speech at the NME Awards last night, where the US rock band was named best international band.

Speaking in a video message, Grohl said: "We're very thankful and very happy – sorry we couldn't make it tonight, but we will be seeing you over the summer at some big outdoor festival that nobody knows we're playing. It's Glastonbury.

"So we'll see you at Glastonbury – thanks a lot everybody."

Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis hinted in November that the Foo Fighters were "overdue" a slot at Worthy Farm after last performing there in 1998, when Primal Scream, Blur and Pulp headlined.

Asked by NME last year if he was keen to headline Glastonbury for the first time, Grohl said: "It's an iconic festival. I just tell everyone if they need a band, we're pretty good. They should give us a call. See what happens."

The remaining two headline acts for this year are yet to be announced, but Lionel Richie has been confirmed for the Sunday afternoon "legend slot".

Adele, Prince, Florence and the Machine, and AC/DC are among the artists currently backed by bookmakers Paddy Power to top the bill.

Glastonbury runs from 24 to 28 June in Somerset. Tickets sold out in record time last October, but there will be a resale of cancelled and returned tickets in the spring.

Foo Fighters are also playing a series of gigs as part of their world tour later this year, including dates in Sunderland and Manchester in May, and London and Edinburgh in June. Kaiser Chiefs will be the support act.

Grohl and his bandmates are currently in New Zealand for the Sonic Highways tour. Their latest performance in Christchurch was described by one critic as "one of the best open-air concerts the city has ever seen".