A censored version of Fairytale of New York will be played on Radio 1
A censored version of Fairytale of New York will be played on Radio 1
Words: Dylan Murphy
The radio station took the decision after fierce debate online.
BBC Radio 1 will not broadcast the original version of ‘Fairytale of New York’. The 1987 track will be replaced with an edited version featuring alternative lyrics from Kirsty MacColl.
The original version will be played on Radio 2 and DJs on 6 Music have the choice between the two versions.
Radio 1 believes younger audiences more unfamiliar with the track would not appreciate some of the lyrics.
The censored version of the Pogues’ classic removes the words “faggot” and “slut” from Kirsty MacColl’s verse.
A BBC spokesman suggested catering for the differing audiences of BBC Radio 1 which generally has a younger demographic that Radio 2.
He 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.”
