Chris Brown plays his first U.K festival in 12 years this weekend, after previously being refused upon entry to the U.K in 2010.
The controversial rapper, 33, was announced as one of the headline performers at the London-based festival Wireless last month, with a mixed reaction to the news being generated on social media at the time.
Many fans welcomed the chance to see one of their favourite performers take to a stage on British soil once again, as others criticised the decision by Wireless bosses due to the star's history of alleged violence towards women.
Chris' Wireless stint comes over a decade on from the With You singer's reported ban from the U.K in 2010, after allegedly assaulting his then-partner Rihanna after a Grammys party in 2009.
At the time the BBC reported that the rapper's visa was refused after he tried to enter the country due to him committing a serious criminal offence and being sentenced to a community service order.
The Home Office wrote at the time: "We reserve the right to refuse entry to the UK to anyone guilty of a serious criminal offence. Public safety is one of our primary concerns."
Last year fans of the singer suspected the ban had been lifted, as Chris appeared on stage at the O2 Arena alongside fellow artist Wizkid during his performance in November.
Speculation surrounding Chris' eligibility to visit the U.K for work reasons continued in May this year when Wireless announced the singer-songwriter would join the likes of Cardi B, ASAP Rocky, SZA and Nicki Minaj on their star-studded line-up this weekend.
Chris would be unable to enter the country and perform without a valid visa so it's likely any ban on the star visiting the U.K has been lifted.
"You asked? We deliver… ALWAYS," the festival wrote on their social media channels last month.
"For the first time in 12 years… @chrisbrownofficial will return to the UK to shut down Crystal Palace and Birmingham."
Wireless kicks off at Crystal Palace Park from July 1-3, before moving on to Finsbury Park on July 8 and concluding at Birmingham’s Outdoor at the NEC on Saturday, July 9.
Chris will be performing on the Friday at Crystal Palace Park and returning to the stage in Birmingham on the Saturday night next weekend.
As he was announced as an official act via Wireless' social media, some called out the festival for signing the controversial star up.
"Is this a joke? You’re still giving known abusers a platform? Idgaf if he apologised why would you sign him to your festival with the knowledge of what he’s done," one fan fumed on Instagram, with another adding: "Everyone loves cancel culture when it comes to cancelling women yet Chris brown has just been announced to headline wireless and has a career at all????"
Many were delighted to hear the news the star was set to return to Britain after a long-stint away from U.K gigs and festivals.
"Chris Brown at wireless!??? I have never bought a ticket so fast without looking at the rest of the lineup," one happy fan mused online, as another wrote: "I CANT WAIT!!!!"
Chris received five years probation and a community service order for assaulting Rihanna in 2009.
The Barbados-born singer was pictured bruised and with a split lip after her then-boyfriend attacked her in his car after attending the Grammy Awards together.
Speaking in 2017, Chris said he felt like a "monster" after the assault and his actions would "haunt me forever".
"I look back at that picture and I'm like, 'That's not me, bro'. I hate it to this day," he said regarding the infamous picture of Rihanna and her injuries.
"That's going to haunt me forever."
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