‘F**k Off’: The Pogues Put Down Of Laurence Fox Goes Viral Again
The Pogues’ put down of Fox was penned by Spider Stacy, the band’s whistle player. (Screengrab via Twitter / AP Photos)
The Pogues’ infamous put down of Laurence Fox went viral again Thursday, following the death of the band’s iconic frontman Shane MacGowan.
The renowned band, famed for their iconic 1987 Christmas song Fairytale of New York, responded to Laurence’s criticism of the BBC’s December 2020 decision to censor certain lyrics with a blunt “fuck off.”
The initial version of the song, performed alongside singer Kirstie MacColl, featured a homophobic slur prompting the BBC to make alterations. The derogatory term “f****t” has been substituted with “haggard,” and the term “s*ut” has been entirely muted when broadcast on BBC radio stations.
Protesting the move, in a now deleted tweet, former GB News host and anti-woke activist Fox said: “Here we go again. The cultural commissars at the @bbc are telling you what is and isn’t appropriate for your ignorant little ears. Wouldn’t it be nice if we sent the (proper) version to the top of the charts? #DefundTheBBC. RT.”
In a response from The Pogues official account the band bluntly hit back: “Fuck off you little herrenvolk shite.” The tweet was reportedly sent by the band’s whistle player Peter Stacy, known as Spider Stacy.
Screengrabs of the exchange were shared widely online on Thursday thousands of times by fans after MacGowan’s wife, Victoria May Clarke, announced on Instagram the death of the legendary frontman.
Stacy paid tribute to MacGowan Thursday, part quoting American poet Walt Whitman: “O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done…”
MacGowan’s life was marked by punk rebellion, matched by a turbulent lifestyle. Despite health struggles in recent years, including hospitalisation for encephalitis in December 2022, MacGowan remained a beloved figure internationally.
Fox was sacked by GB News this month over a misogynistic rant about female journalist Ava Evans. His comments, made to presenter Dan Wootton, resulted in both their suspensions from the network. Wootton remains suspended and under investigation by the network.
