By Radio 1 bans uncensored Pogues Christmas classic
BBC Radio 1 has banned its presenters from playing an uncensored version of Christmas classic Fairytale of New York.
The broadcaster decided to edit the words ‘f****t’ and ‘sl*t’ from the track – released by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl in 1987 – in an apparent bid to avoid causing offence over the festive period.
In the updated version, the word ‘f****t’ is changed to ‘haggard’ and ‘sl*t’ is muted, The Sun reported.
Radio 1 said young listeners were particularly sensitive to derogatory terms for gender and sexuality.
But the 1987 original will still be played on Radio 2, while 6 Music DJs can choose between the two versions.
A BBC spokesman said: “We know the song is considered a Christmas classic and we will continue to play it this year, with our radio stations choosing the version of the song most relevant for their audience.”
The broadcaster’s unedited use of Fairytale of New York has caused controversy in recent years, with a performance of the track in last year’s Gavin and Stacey Christmas special receiving 866 complaints.
The duet is one of the most enduring Christmas pop songs, having returned to the UK top 20 every year since 2005. Along with a string of other festive favourites, it is now rising the chart again, at 59 in the current midweek chart.
