Shane MacGowan To Sing Fairytale Of New York on TV Despite Calls For Ban

It is often voted the best Christmas song of all time, but in recent years listeners have started to question whether The Pogues classic 'Fairytale in New York' has had it day.

One person who is ignoring those concerns, however, is the band's singer Shane MacGowan who will be performing it live on Irish television next week.

The 61-year-old will sing the controversial festive hit on The Late Late Show on Friday 13 December.

Confirming his appearance, the show's presenter Ryan Tubridy said: "Next week on The Late Late Show, I'm very excited to tell you it'll be our privilege to pay tribute to one of my favourite people... Mr Shane MacGowan, musician, songwriter, frontman of The Pogues.

PA

"When you think of it, he's the man who wrote the best song of all time, did he not?

"And next Friday, Shane MacGowan and whole load of stars will perform 'Fairytale of New York' right here on The Late Late Show, as well as other songs from Shane and friends' stories. It's going to be beautiful.

"It's promised to be a session like no other so don't miss it. That's next Friday."

This comes just a few days after BBC DJ Alex Dyke went on a three-minute rant to his listeners, claiming the song was an 'offensive pile of downmarket chav bilge' and should be banned from the airwaves.

And while many look forward this time of year just so they can play the classic Pogues tune, the 57-year-old disc jockey was not having any of it.

Twitter/AlexDyke

In a now-deleted tweet, Dyke wrote: "Radio, let's ban 'Fairytale Of New York' this Christmas! 'You're a slut on junk, you scumbag, cheap lousy f*****' - is this what we want our kids singing in the back of the car?

"It's an offensive pile of down market chav bilge. We can do better!"

He later explained to his listeners why he hated the song so much, telling them that he wasn't going to play it again.

Speaking during his show, he said: "I hope I'm not going to ruin your Christmas, but I've decided that I am no longer comfortable with playing 'Fairytale of New York' by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl.

"I think Christmas songs should be about excited children, toys, Christmas trees, snowy streets, ski lodges, reindeer, wrapping paper, Santa, family, peace on Earth and love.

"I just find The Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York' a nasty, nasty song."

Topics: Ireland, Christmas, TV and Film, Music, UK Entertainment

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom