James Bay kept his scheduled support slot at Wembley despite breaking his ankle the day before, appearing in a wheelchair and performing while seated with his left leg in a cast. The 36-year-old Brit Award-winning singer-songwriter, born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, was wheeled on stage for the warm-up set as Bon Jovi played at the north-west London stadium.
The venue posted that Bay had broken "his ankle on Tuesday... but still supported Bon Jovi on Wednesday". Wembley Stadium also shared the line, "Pain is temporary. Wembley is forever". Concert-goers responded on social media by praising Bay for turning out after the injury, which he is said to have sustained while playing football.
Bay performed from a seated position and included songs from his catalogue that helped establish him in the mainstream. He rose to prominence in 2014 after a video of him playing at a London open mic night led to a record deal, and some of his best-known hits, including Let It Go and Hold Back The River, featured on his set-list at the stadium.
US rock band Bon Jovi have been staging the Forever Tour at Wembley and completed three sold-out performances on Friday, Sunday and Wednesday. The night also carried extra emotion, with reports that Jon Bon Jovi appeared visibly emotional on stage after a previous recovery from throat surgery that threatened his career in 2022.
Bay was described as being in good spirits during the concert despite the injury. By choosing to perform seated rather than withdrawing, he preserved the evening's lineup and gave fans the scheduled appearance they had expected, though the cast and wheelchair underline that his mobility will be limited while he recovers.
