BBC reverses decision to censor Pogues' hit

The BBC has reversed an earlier decision to censor an old Christmas hit by the Pogues after the mother of the song's late performer…

The BBC has reversed an earlier decision to censor an old Christmas hit by the Pogues after the mother of the song's late performer described the move as "ridiculous".

In "Fairytale of New York", released 20 years ago by the Pogues and singer Kirsty MacColl, she sings "You scumbag, you maggot/You cheap lousy faggot" as her character argues with that sung by Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan.

BBC bosses decided to edit the word "faggot" each time the song was played because it was offensive to some of their audience.

However, they backed down after MacColl's mother and hundreds of fans complained.

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Andy Parfitt, controller of the public broadcaster's Radio 1, said the decision to edit the song was wrong.

"Radio 1 does not play homophobic lyrics or condone bullying of any kind," he said. "It is not always easy to get this right, mindful of our responsibility to our young audience. The unedited version will be played from now on."

Ms MacColl's mother Jean, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, called the ban "too ridiculous". "Today we have a lot of a gratuitous vulgarity and ... whatever from people all over which I think is quite unnecessary. These are characters and they speak like that," she said.

A spokeswoman for the band said they would be amused to hear about Radio 1's initial decision to edit the song.

"This song now goes with Christmas like the Queen's speech and mince pies, and all of a sudden it's offensive," she said. "It strikes me as very odd and I'm sure the band will be very amused."

Kirsty MacColl died in 2000 when she was killed by a speedboat off the coast of Mexico.

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