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Laurence Fox scolded by The Pogues after criticising BBC's 'Fairytale of New York' edit

Laurence Fox attends the 65th Evening Standard Theatre Awards at the London Coliseum on November 24, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Laurence Fox (WireImage)

Laurence Fox has been told to "f*** off" by The Pogues after the actor criticised the BBC's decision to play an edited version of Fairytale of New York.

The band's 1987 Christmas hit featuring Kirsty MacColl has frequently come under fire for its use of homophobic slur 'f*****', which will now not feature in the alternate version on BBC Radio 1.

The original song is still set to be played on Radio 2 with 6 Music presenters having a choice of the two.

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"Here we go again," Fox wrote on Twitter. "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."

However, a message from The Pogue's Twitter account hit back at the actor's comments.

"F*** off you little herrenvolk s****," the reply read.

The Pogues responded to Laurence Fox's tweet. (Twitter)
The Pogues responded to Laurence Fox's tweet. (Twitter)

"Herrenvolk" is a concept from Nazi ideology referring to the "master race" they consider to be innately superior.

Read more: Laurence Fox reckons he’ll end up in Parliament

It comes as Fox has found himself at the centre of several rows this year after publicly positioning himself against "wokeness".

Earlier this year he launched his own political party, Reclaim, which claims to fight for freedom of speech, aiming to “reclaim British values” and challenge a “culture war” taking place in the UK.

Singers Kirsty MacColl (1959 - 2000) and Shane MacGowan with with toy guns and an inflatable Santa in a festive scenario, circa 1987. In 1987, the pair collaborated on the Pogues' Christmas song 'Fairytale of New York'. (Photo by Tim Roney/Getty Images)
Singers Kirsty MacColl and Shane MacGowan with with toy guns and an inflatable Santa in a festive scenario, circa 1987. (Getty Images)

The debate around the playing of the original Fairytale of New York, which also contains the word 'slut', has become something of an annual talking point.

Last year, the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special caused controversy after Rob Brydon and Ruth Jones' characters Bryn and Nessa sang the original complete with the slur.

Following 866 complaints about the episode, with some referring to homophobic language, the BBC said in a statement that "there was no intention to offend viewers".

Watch: Laurence Fox defends his controversial comments