Ref calls for an end to ‘PC madness’ over festive hit

WELSH rugby referee Nigel Owens has pleaded for an end to “PC madness” after calls for Christmas classic Fairytale of New York to be censored by radio stations.

The Pogues hit, which has consistently been named the greatest Christmas song in history, includes the lyrics “You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot”.

The line is sung by the late Kirsty Maccoll, with some people believing the word “faggot” should be bleeped as its modern form is often used as an offensive slur towards gay people. Others point out the word is traditional Irish slang for a “lazy person”, an interpretation which fits with the story of the song.

Irish DJ Eoghan Mcdermott has objected to the word, saying: “The fact this song is a classic isn’t a strong enough defence to not at least censor it. Phrases that have zero social utility should fall away. There’s enough vitriol out there without gay people having to feel uncomfortable so people that aren’t affected by an insult can tap their toe.”

The debate has prompted Pogues singer Shane Macgowan, who wrote the song in 1987, to issue a statement in which he explained the meaning of the lyrics. And it sparked some strong words from gay referee Owens, from Mynyddcerrig, who described censorship calls as “stupidity” and called on people to boycott any platforms that decide to censor the song.

“If we don’t stand up to this stupidity then society is broken. The world has gone PC mad. If you are so easily offended by something then don’t listen to it and switch it off or change channels. I will be listening every day now,” he said.

“And the simple solution to this PC madness is for all us sensible people to stop listening to any platform that censors this song. Then they will realise how bloody stupid they will have been.”