A disabled fan has called for people to “be more Chris Martin” after the Coldplay frontman gave her a lift into BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.
Saundra Glenn told the PA news agency she was close to giving up and going home after struggling to walk to the accessibility box office at the entrance of the festival, which took place in her hometown Luton this weekend.
With osteoarthritis and problems in her hip, knee and ankle, the 64-year-old was resting against a fence when a black Mercedes people carrier pulled up next to her and a woman in the front seat told her she could hop in.
“The back door glided back and Chris Martin was in the backseat,” said Ms Glenn, a local community advocate.
“I looked at him and said (to the woman in the passenger seat) ‘I can’t get in, that’s Chris Martin’.
“He goes: ‘Yes you can, just come on in’.”
when in Luton, you sing Orange 🧡 #bigweekend @coldplay pic.twitter.com/5l1AGOoKtK
— BBC Radio 1 (@BBCR1) May 26, 2024
Ms Glenn was then driven into the festival alongside Martin, who talked with her about “all kinds of things” including her work in the local community in Luton.
“He said ‘It’s lovely to hear about what you do’,” Ms Glenn said.
“I said I’m 65 this summer, he said ‘You don’t look it’ and not to worry about age and just to keep doing what I’m doing.
“He seems like a totally decent human being and I told him that… I said ‘You’re just a very nice person’.”
Ms Glenn took several selfies with Martin, who even offered her a hint about a secret he had planned for his set that evening.
Coldplay played a new song called Orange during their set in tribute to Luton Town FC after a public campaign by fans, so the band played a new song celebrating the local club.
“He told me he’s going to do something special at the end – I said ‘Go on are you changing yellow to orange?’” said Ms Glenn.
“He said, I can’t tell you that, but I can say, wait ’til the end – I’m doing something special, and that was special.”
Martin had to jump out of the vehicle before Ms Glenn, but when he got to his destination he told staff to get into a buggy with her and escort her all the way to her destination at the festival’s accessible area.
“They didn’t leave me until I had my wristband on – that’s how dedicated they were,” Ms Glenn said.
“I got onto the stage area where you can sit and I saw Chris’s set – it was a fantastic experience last night, it’s the best thing I’ve done in a long, long time.”
“He’s shown that kindness rules the world.
“Be more Chris Martin – be more that humble guy that doesn’t mind picking up an OAP – albeit a good-looking, young-looking OAP – and giving her a ride to help her out.”