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Chris Moyles censured over Will Young gay spoof
Chris Moyles in Will Young row
DJ Chris Moyles has been rapped for mocking Will Young in spoof gay lyrics.
Broadcasting watchdog, Ofcom, criticised the Radio 1 DJ for making derogatory comments about Will Young on account of his sexuality.
Moyles changed the lyrics to two of the openly gay singer’s most popular songs and sang them in a high-pitched and effeminate voice, according to Ofcom.
The spoofed lyrics to “Leave Right Now”, which were broadcast on Young’s birthday on 20th January, included the lines:
“Oooh Will Young here, mmmmh. I’m here, it’s Will’s birthday and as the years go by I get more very gay… now I’m the gayest fella you probably know. mmm I like to wear a silly hat, I get camper by the hour, oh would you look at the muck in here. I’m Will Young and I’m gay.”
Ofcom received eight complaints from listeners who claimed the comments were offensive and derogatory towards the gay community.
Ofcom ruled that the comments were based on the singer’s sexuality and therefore capable of giving offence.
While recognising the irreverent nature of Moyles’s breakfast time show, Ofcom said that Moyles’s behaviour was beyond accepted standards of this type of programme.
“Although no doubt intended to be humorous, comments such as these and the manner in which they were delivered, in Ofcom’s view, could reasonably have been perceived as hostile and pejorative,” the media watchdog stated.
“In Ofcom’s opinion, the broadcast of this language by Chris Moyles, taking account of both the tone and words, had the potential to cause considerable offence.”
Ofcom also pointed out that Moyles’s weekday breakfast show attracted a young audience – including large numbers of children – and they were “therefore particularly concerned that the broadcast of this type of material may have the potential to encourage listeners, especially children, to discriminate against others because of their or perceived sexual orientation. “
The BBC acknowledged that Moyles’s comments were unacceptable.
