Super Bowl 2018 halftime show: Justin Timberlake confirmed by NFL, Janet Jackson controversy ensues

The rumours have been confirmed

(Getty)

Justin Timberlake has been officially announced as the halftime show performer for 2018's Super Bowl LII, the singer following recent acts Lady Gaga, Coldplay and Katy Perry, and returning for the first time since 2004's infamous "nipplegate".

The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon got the scoop, Timberlake and the host doing a bit on the Super Bowl backstage (below).

The NFL then tweeted about his set, which will take place in Minnesota on 4 February, 2018.

Timberlake, who was rumoured for the gig in September, is an obvious choice given his catalogue of hits, but is already proving controversial for a number of reasons.

On Twitter, many were angry that Timberlake has been forgiven by the NFL and welcomed back while Janet Jackson hasn't.

Jackson, whose exposed breast in 2004 led to a crackdown by the FCC on objectionable broadcast material, bore the brunt of criticism at the time and was even banned from presenting the Grammys the following week.

It wouldn't be surprising, however, if the incident was addressed in the show, with Timberlake perhaps bringing out Jackson as a surprise guest.

Timberlake's announcement also comes at a time though when the President of the United States has waged war on the NFL.

Twitter users on the right of the political spectrum have already begun calling for a boycott of the show - or the Super Bowl entirely - over players' recent kneeling protests which provoked Trump's ire.

Jackson and Timberlake moments after the wardrobe malfunction at Super Bowl XXXVIII (Photo: Getty)

Onlookers on the left, meanwhile, felt that this moment demanded a black halftime performer, with many suggesting Rihanna.

It remains to be seen whether NFL players' defiance is something Trump will still be tweeting about when February rolls round, but the show is set to be a world away from the frivolities of Katy Perry and Left Shark.

Super Bowl XXXVIII's exposed breast hysteria led to a return to rock acts like Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and The Who for halftime shows for a few years, before solo pop artists started to creep back in.