Michael J. Fox made an unexpected and profoundly moving appearance during Coldplay's headline performance at Glastonbury, leaving a lasting impact on the 100,000-strong audience and viewers worldwide.
The 63-year-old actor - perhaps best known for his role as Marty McFly in Back to the Future and for his advocacy for Parkinson's disease research - joined Coldplay on stage, despite his ongoing battle with Parkinson's himself.
Fox left the crowd in awe as he played the guitar during their performances of 'Fix You' and 'Humankind'.
This surprise collaboration marked a historic moment not only for Coldplay but also for the festival, as they became the first band to headline Glastonbury five times.
Chris Martin, Coldplay's lead vocalist, paid heartfelt tribute to Michael J. Fox as they shared the stage, crediting him as a primary inspiration for the band's formation.
Martin expressed gratitude to Fox, stating: "The main reason why we're in a band is because of watching Back to the Future, so thank you to our hero forever and one of the most amazing people on Earth, Mr. Michael J. Fox. Thank you so much, Michael."
The emotional resonance of Fox's appearance was palpable, leading to an outpouring of support and admiration from both the live audience and viewers at home.
Michael J. Fox's battle with Parkinson's disease, which he was diagnosed with at the age of 29 in 1991, has been well-documented. In 2000, along with his wife Tracy Pollan, the actor established The Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has since raised over $2 billion for Parkinson's research.
In response to the overwhelming reaction to his appearance, viewers and fans took to social media to express their emotions and admiration for Fox and Coldplay's collaboration.
"No f**king WAY is Michael J Fox with Coldplay I’m in tears," wrote one X user.
A second added: "Michael J. Fox is on stage with Coldplay at Glastonbury tonight… and now it’s awfully dusty in here."
A third tweeted: "Coldplay singing fix you with Michael J Fox on stage are you trying to ruin me I’m SOBBING #Glastonbury."
"However cynical and hard bitten you are, impossible not to feel something joyful when Coldplay plays with Michael J Fox at Glastonbury," added another.
And others were convinced that Coldplay had just delivered the "greatest headline act ever" (which is high praise indeed).
"That has to be one of the greatest Glastonbury headline sets ever," one person tweeted, "it was just epic."
A second agreed, writing: "This Coldplay set is one of the greatest #Glastonbury headline sets of all time."
"Whatever you are doing switch to bbc1 for what is building in to the greatest #Glastonbury headline performance of all time #coldplay," added a third.
And a fourth wrote: "I think we may be witnessing the greatest ever Glastonbury headline set."
I feel bad for whoever has to try and top that next year.
