Words by Laura Painter

This summer’s Sonisphere festival in Knebworth has been cancelled.

Reports surfaced yesterday on Queens’ official website and have now been confirmed by the official Sonosphere site.

The website states: “It is with very heavy hearts and much regret that we announce the cancellation of Sonisphere Knebworth 2012.”

Queen were due to headline the festival, which was planned for the July 6th to July 8th with vocals from Adam Lambert who came second in the eighth series of American Idol.

The line-up also included Marilyn Manson, Evanescence, The Darkness and Glassjaw who had been planning on performing the whole of their 2002 album ‘Worship and Tribute’.

A online statement from the organisers of the festival said they fought hard to keep the festival on the calendar but circumstances had dictated that they would not be able to.

Other acts who were due to perform included musical comedian Tim Minchin, Ghosts, Flogging Molly, Incubus and Cyrus Hill.

The Sonisphere statement was directed at fans and added: “We also want to send a huge thanks to the Sonisphere fans who stuck by us and we are so sorry that we can’t fulfil what we set out to do.”

Ticket holders will be entitled to a full refund through their ticket agents.

With Glastonbury taking a year off, this cancelation widens the hole in the British festival calendar.

Other large events that have been cancelled include Oxegen and The Big Chill.