George Michael has accused the BBC of ordering his band not to wear T-shirts bearing an anti war slogan on prime time music show ‘TOP OF THE POPS’.
The show, which will be aired tonight (March 7), features >George Michael, performing a cover of Don McLean’s protest song ‘The Grave’.
The T-shirt, which reads ‘No War, Blair Out’ is worn by the singer’s cellists during the performance, but George has been told that all images of the T-shirt will be edited out.
It will be the first time that the politically charged singer has appeared on the show in person for 17 years, since his former group Wham! performed their final single ‘The Edge of Heaven’.
A spokesperson for ‘Top Of The Pops’ told NME.COM: “There are BBC guidelines we have to adhere to. We have to be neutral and the shirts were a political statement.
“George was not upset. He sat with the producer afterwards. He was perfectly happy. This has been blown out of proportion.”
However, a spokesman for George Michael counteracted ‘TOTP”s claims, commenting: “There was a heated discussion between George and the producers. He wasn’t happy about this at all.”
The Grave’ is expected to appear on an anti-war album later this year.
‘Top Of The Pops’ will be aired on BBC1 tonight at 7.30pm.