ISLE of Wight Festival boss John Giddings has spoken of his emotion as the gates finally opened for the 2021 event.

The festival didn't happen in June 2020 as planned due to the Covid pandemic, and was first postponed a year, then pushed back to September to ensure as much as possible its chances of going ahead.

It usually kicks off the festival season but this year it brought the curtains down on it — in true Isle of Wight Festival style complete with Red Arrows, fireworks and dozens of household names on the multiple stages.

Mr Giddings told the County Press yesterday (Tuesday): "It was amazing to see the gates open on Thursday — it was quite emotional!

"It had been too long since people got to enjoy the festival and we couldn't have asked for a better weekend with wall to wall sunshine and great music.

"I'd like to thank all our artists for putting on an incredible show and I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend.

"We're already on sale for 2022 when we'll be back in June to kick off the festival season.

"Plans are underway and we'll have more details to share soon."

The line-up is expected to be announced imminently, and Mr Giddings said the headliners had already been secured.

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