[Niamh.]

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A BBC DJ has called for a classic Christmas song to be banned from the radio as he doesn't think it's appropriate for children to hear



BBC Radio presenter Alex Dyke has caused controversy online after admitting he is "no longer comfortable" with the Christmas hit, Fairytale of New York.

Before hosting his afternoon show on BBC Radio Solent on Tuesday, December 3, the 57-year-old shared a series of now-deleted tweets ranting about the song.


In his posts, he slammed the 1987 track by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, calling it an "offensive pile of downmarket chav bilge".

He wrote: "Radio, let's ban Fairytale Of New York this Christmas!

"'You're a slut on junk, you scumbag, cheap lousy ******' - is this what we want our kids singing in the back of the car?



"It's an offensive pile of downmarket chav bilge. We can do better!"

Alongside the tweet he shared a photo of The Pogues' frontman, Shane MacGowan, missing his front teeth and looking rather dishevelled.

He later reiterated his point while on air, saying: "I hope I'm not going to ruin your Christmas, but I've decided that I am no longer comfortable with playing Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl.

"I think Christmas songs should be about excited children, toys, Christmas trees, snowy streets, ski lodges, reindeer, wrapping paper, Santa, family, peace on earth and love.

"I just find The Pogues' Fairytale of New York a nasty, nasty song.

"I think it should be banned, I really do, so I won't be playing this record on the radio of this Christmas."

He added that by not playing the song, he was "making a stand for the good of the people".

A BBC spokesperson said they wouldn't actually be banning the song on their stations.

They commented: "This was Alex's decision. There is no ban. We have a strict music policy that we expect to be followed."

Fairytale of New York has sold close to 1.5 million copies to date and is often voted one of the nation's favourite Christmas songs - despite having a few offensive lyrics.

BBC Radio One had previously attempted to censor certain lyrics back in 2007, but this was met with backlash.

Dyke's comments this week were also met with backlash, with one person on Twitter writing: "Can we ban him instead? That will forever be a classic, he will be forgotten in days."

Another replied: "Fairytale of New York is a Christmas classic. All this nonsense about anything pre-2000 being offensive is ridiculous.

"It’s a fun song. Voice your opinion but don’t try to ban it. You’ll lose listeners which you can’t afford to do."

However some people did agree with his words and congratulated him on taking a stand.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-..._QRL8go5Ug3Upo