Morrissey declines Channel 4 offer of alternative Christmas Day broadcast to rival Queen
The alternative Christmas message has been broadcast by Channel 4 since 1993
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Morrissey has 'politely declined an invitation' from Channel 4 to rival the Queen’s annual Christmas Day television message.
In a statement posted on his fansite True to You, he said he had rejected an offer to deliver the message, which would be transmitted at the same time as the BBC’s broadcast of the Queen.
The alternative Christmas message has been broadcast by Channel 4 since 1993 with range of comedians and public figures, such as Sacha Baron Cohen, Katie Piper, Jamie Oliver and Edward Snowden.
Morrissey’s statement reads: “My view that the monarchy should be quietly dismantled for the good of England is reasonably well-known, but I don’t think Christmas Day is quite the time to be trading slaps.”
The anti-monarchist added: “The Queen should be allowed the impassioned trance of her annual address to the British people, if only to once again prove that, in her frozen posture, she has nothing to offer and nothing to say.”
However a Channel 4 spokesperson somewhat negated the claim that an offer had been made to the singer for him to deliver the Christmas broadcast.
"We are not aware of any approach having been made to Morrissey to deliver Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas message," they said.
Morrissey has been consistently vocal about his feelings on the royal family. In the last few years, he has suggested that they were partly responsible for the decline of endangered species. He also likened the Queen’s position to that of Muammar Gaddafi.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments