Xmas > Christmas News

The Pogues Christmas classic censored by the Beeb

Tue, 18 Dec 2007

Popular Christmas song Fairytale of New York has been censored by the BBC as they fear it may upset the homosexual community.

The song by Irish band, The Pogues and features the late Kirsty MacColl is a favourite choice for this years Christmas one after its re-release.

The Fairytale of New York tells the story of two lovers that exchange insults on Christmas Eve. One popular line of some ends with the words, "You scumbag, you maggot you cheap lousy faggot, Happy Christmas your arse I pray God It's our last."

The word faggot has been bleeped out of the song by Radio 1 bosses as they fear it may cause offence to homosexuals. However, DJs from the BBC have been outraged as well as listeners at the bosses’ actions.

A spokesman for the BBC said, "This step has been taken as this is a word that members of our audience would find offensive."

Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles who is leading a campaign to get the song to number one said the decision was ‘ridiculous’.

The BBC has censored a popular Christmas song amid fears the lyrics will upset homosexuals.

The move was also condemned by fans of The Pogues.

David Higgins, a fan from Liverpool said, "Fairytale of New York is a great Christmas tune and this line sums up the theme of the song.

"The two singers are meant to be bickering at each other, so what is the point in censoring anything offensive - it defies the object of the track."

If the campaign goes well then the song could topple Leon Jackson, the 18 year old X Factor winner from the number one spot.