The BBC has laid out differing rules when playing the Pogues song, which features homophobic and misogynist slurs. Listeners to Radio 1, Radio 2 and 6 Music consider the decision
A culture war around the Pogues’ song Fairytale of New York feels like a new Christmas tradition, like a Lindt chocolate Santa, but homophobic. In this year’s iteration, Radio 1 has removed two offensive words from the recording it plays, but Radio 2 will continue to play the original; Radio 6 Music DJs can choose between the recordings.