Kanye West's hopes of a UK comeback were dealt a swift blow following a sharp rejection. The rapper, now known as Ye, has ignited controversy after it was confirmed he would headline all three nights of Wireless Festival this year. The musician hasn't performed on British soil for 11 years, since topping the bill at Glastonbury Festival, but the announcement of his Wireless slot last week immediately triggered a fierce backlash.

It has since come to light, however, that Wireless, held at London's Finsbury Park, was not the rapper's first choice. Rather, he had sought to stage a residency at one of the country's most iconic stadiums, and when that bid was turned down, his team approached Wireless with an offer to headline the festival. West had set his sights on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but club bosses refused, citing the club's strong ties to the Jewish community.

It's claimed that a residency at the stadium was the original plan, with Wireless only emerging as a second option.

"As part of his big music comeback, they thought he warranted a headline run of shows and chose the Tottenham stadium as their venue of choice," a source told The Sun.

"But when they approached Tottenham with their proposal, the club rejected it.

"There was no way they would allow Kanye to perform at the club, given its history with the Jewish community. They then made the proposal to Wireless, which accepted."

However, following the revelation that West would headline the festival, principal sponsor Pepsi opted to terminate its partnership.

A source revealed: "Following the mounting backlash surrounding the announcement and Sir Keir Starmer speaking out, Pepsi's position as festival sponsor became untenable.

"Festivals are about bringing people together; the only decision was to withdraw with Kanye West topping the bill."

A spokesperson for the corporation stated: "Pepsi has decided to withdraw its sponsorship of Wireless Festival."

The Mirror have reported that another international drinks giant, Diageo, which owns Captain Morgan and Johnnie Walker, has likewise abandoned its sponsorship of Wireless this year.

A spokesperson confirmed: "We have informed the organisers of our concerns and as it stands, Diageo will not sponsor the 2026 Wireless Festival."

In recent years, West has expressed antisemitic sentiments on social media.

He also released a track entitled Heil Hitler alongside selling T-shirts bearing a swastika, prompting Shopify, which hosted his website, to remove the platform.

The choice to book West for Wireless additionally triggered a reaction from the Prime Minister.

He described the decision to host West at Finsbury Park as "deeply concerning" given his conduct.

"Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears," he said.

"Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe."

West issued an apology in January for his antisemitic remarks via a letter published as a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal.

In the letter, he attributed his bipolar disorder as having caused him to descend into "a four-month-long, manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life."

West further clarified in the letter that he was not seeking "sympathy or a free pass", but rather wished to "earn forgiveness."

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