Morrissey's explosive broadside against the BBC has left fans reeling – or perhaps that should be, 'dying on their feet' - as he unleashes a scathing attack on the corporation for allegedly snubbing his latest single, 'Notre-Dame'. In a fiery statement posted on his Morrissey Central website yesterday, the former Smiths frontman took aim at the BBC, labelling their commitment to diversity a hollow shell – one that's more akin to a Third Reich-esque regime than any genuine celebration of artistic freedom.
The stats don't lie: 'Notre-Dame' has climbed to Number Six on the Official Singles Sales Chart without so much as a whisper from radio stations. Yes, you read that right – it's been a chart-topper in sales terms, but somehow failed to make the cut on the all-encompassing Official Singles Chart, which takes into account downloads and streaming data too.
Morrissey was having none of it, however: "The public wants to hear the song, but the BBC will not play it. Not even when they're supposed to be serving the people!" he thundered. And as for his 'diversity' jibe? Well, let's just say he's firing a warning shot across the bows of an establishment that he believes is peddling a myth – one that's about as convincing as a badly-faked autograph.
'Notre-Dame', by the way, is the lead single from Morrissey's long-awaited 14th solo album, 'Make-Up Is A Lie'. Released in March this year, it marked his first new music in six years – and judging by its chart performance, fans have been eagerly awaiting its arrival. The album itself reached Number Three on the Official Albums Chart, no mean feat for an artist who's never one to shy away from a challenge.
Of course, Morrissey's comments come at a time when he's already courted controversy with some of his recent public statements – including a very public row with former bandmate Johnny Marr. But hey, if you can't handle the heat in the kitchen, stay out of the recording studio... or so they say.
Speaking of which, Morrissey is currently on tour across Europe to promote 'Make-Up Is A Lie', and his UK arena dates are mere weeks away – with shows scheduled for Brighton, Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Leeds in December. Bring your earplugs...