Chris Martin defends Jay-Z

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has defended Glastonbury headliner Jay-Z.

The 'In My Place' hitmaker said that he couldn't understand why people had been saying Coldplay would be a better headline act than the rapper.

He said: "Why would we need to [play Glastonbury], considering the best musician on the planet is headlining?

"I find it pretty embarrassing, all the palaver [over Jay-Z's booking].

"We recently came back to England to find all this all this hoo-hah, grandpas complaining about things they don't know about," he added.

"Coldplay not playing and Jay-Z playing is exactly what needs to happen for the world. He's the best rapper in the world."

Jay-Z -- real name Shawn Corey Carter -- is set to play the Pyramid Stage at the festival on June 28.

Coldplay headlined the summer festival in 2005.