[letmein]

Michael Jackson wants an apology from the BBC after two radio presenters compared him to the IRA.

Last Updated: 11:47AM GMT 20 Mar 2009





Comedians Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis, on The Now Show, made light of the troubles in Northern Ireland by referring to the pop star and terrorist group as "80s celebrities".

They said: "I can't believe which 80s celebrities I want back less, Michael Jackson or the IRA."

The BBC website later described the programme in similar terms.

It said: "Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis discuss the return to Britain of undesirables from Michael Jackson to the IRA."

The show went out just six days after two British soldiers were killed by the Real IRA in Northern Ireland.

The pop star was said to be angry when he heard about the joke.

A source told the Mirror: "Michael was told about the comments and was appalled. It was a disgusting slur.

"To compare him to cold-blooded murderers is not funny. It's highly offensive."

The BBC received complaints about Friday's Radio 4 show and offended listeners posted messages on internet forums.

Jackson has complained to AEG Live, the promoters of his 50-night UK comeback and they are deciding whether to lodge an official complaint with the BBC.

Earlier this week the website for the O2, the venue for Jackson's shows, crashed in the scramble that gripped fans across the world.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/m...im-to-IRA.html