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BBC Radio 1 will play an edited version of the Christmas favorite Fairytale Of New York in an attempt to avoid offending listeners.
The Pogues’ big holiday hit with Kirsty MacColl is a Christmas staple, though in recent years it has been the focus of debate over their lyrics.
The song includes the words “fag” and “whore.”
RTÉ and other Irish stations have played the song in the past without omissions. We have contacted RTÉ for a comment on their performance of the song this year.
This year, Radio 1 will play an alternate version of the track, and the record label will provide different lyrics sung by MacColl.
It is understood that Radio 1 bosses were wary of offending younger listeners with derogatory terms for gender and sexuality.
Radio 2 will play the original song, but said it will continue to monitor listeners’ opinions. 6 Music said it has made an edited version available and will allow presenters to make the choice.
In a statement, the BBC said: “We know the song is considered a Christmas classic and we will continue to play it this year, and our radio stations choose the version of the song most relevant to their audience.”
Last year, the BBC defended the use of the unedited version of the 1987 song in the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special.
The characters of Nessa Jenkins and Uncle Bryn sang it on the show.
Gavin & Stacey co-creator Ruth Jones, who plays Nessa, also defended herself using the song.
She told The Sun: “It’s a different climate. But we have to be true to the characters, who they were. The characters of Gavin & Stacey are kind and big-hearted, I think.
“So I think no one is going to hurt intentionally. But in the same way, they are not necessarily going to be completely politically correct or be aware of political correctness. “
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