Chris Moyles reprimanded over 'gay' spoof lyrics to Will Young song

Chris Moyles has been censured by Ofcom for condoning negative stereotypes of gay people, after the DJ made what the media regulator ruled were derogatory comments about Will Young on his BBC Radio 1 breakfast show.

Moyles changed the lyrics of two of Young's songs, Evergreen and Leave Right Now, and sang them in "an effeminate and high-pitched voice", according to Ofcom.

The Radio 1 DJ sang the spoof lyrics on his breakfast show on Young's birthday, 20 January. They included the words: "It's my birthday today, gonna wear my new dress tonight. And I smell nice. I've had a shower and I've shaved my legs. Going out later, might go to Nobu for dinner. Oooh Will Young here, mmmh. I'm here, it's Will's birthday and as the years go by I get more very gay."

Other spoof lyrics inserted by Moyles included: "When you saw me years ago you didn't know, but 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."

In its defence, the BBC said Young was not being ridiculed because of his sexuality, adding that Moyles' remarks were not intended to be hostile or derogatory.

However, Ofcom, in its ruling published today, said Moyles's language "could have reasonably been interpreted by listeners as promoting and condoning certain negative stereotypes based on sexual orientation".

"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 regulator added.

"In Ofcom's view, the broadcast of this language by Chris Moyles, taking account of both the tone and words, had the potential to cause considerable offence."

The regulator added: "Such material runs the risk of being imitated by children, for instance in the playground, causing unnecessary distress."

Ofcom received eight complaints from listeners who said Moyles's spoof lyrics were offensive and derogatory towards the gay community.

The BBC acknowledged that the comments had been misjudged and unacceptable, adding that Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt had spoken to Moyles and his production team about the matter. Parfitt has also written to Moyles's agent to make clear the material was unacceptable, the corporation said.

But the BBC, in its response to Ofcom, denied that Young was ridiculed because of his sexuality.

"[The BBC] said regular listeners to the programme will have been aware that Will Young has been a guest on the show a number of times. The audience in general would have been clear that such remarks were not intended to be taken as hostile or derogatory," Ofcom said today in its ruling.

Ofcom added that it recognised that Moyles's show was "well known for its irreverent style and humour", but said in its opinion his comments were "clearly based on the singer's sexuality and therefore capable of giving offence".

Moyles was censured by Ofcom in 2006 after he told a caller to his breakfast show "You've got some kids from some fucking...", before tailing off. But in the same year he was defended by the BBC governors – the predecessor of the BBC Trust – after he described a ringtone as "gay".

The governors said he was justified in using the word to mean "lame or rubbish" because its playground meaning had changed for many children.

Veteran DJ Paul Gambaccini last month said Moyles should be sacked by the BBC for joking about Auschwitz. The Radio 2 DJ also condemned the comments about Young, which he said reinforced negative stereotypes about gay people.

"I find his continual presence on Radio 1 unacceptable. Chris Moyles should be gone," Gambaccini said in a lecture.

"I am nauseated by the Radio 1 press office constantly rationalising his behaviour," he added. "If we do not get our own house in order, then sooner or later somebody else will and they might break the furniture in the process."

In January the BBC expressed its regret following Moyles's comments about Auschwitz and Young. The corporation said they were "misjudged".

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