Paul Merson 'fuming' with BBC Strictly bosses over use of 'racist' football song for first dance
Paul Merson is reportedly furious with BBC Strictly bosses
BBC
Paul Merson was reportedly left furious with BBC Strictly bosses over their choice of song for his debut dance.
While Merson's, 56, dance partner hasn't been revealed ahead of show one, it's been claimed by onlookers in the crowd while filming the launch show that his first song of the series would be Vindaloo by Fat Les.
The song has become a favourite with football fans since its release ahead of the 1998 World Cup in France but its backstory has prompted claims of "racism".
It was created by and co-written by Blur bassist Alex James and Guy Pratt, with lyrics written by comedian Keith Allen.
Following its release, Vindaloo sparked controversy when it was claimed the lyrics were inspired by a row Allen had with Asian writer Farrukh Dhondy on the BBC's now-axed series The Late Show.
BBC presenter Nick Ahad has also publicly claimed white thugs chanted "Vindaloo" at him from the window of a car back in 2016.
Paul Merson shot to stardom as a footballer in the Premier League
PA
When the controversial track was played to Merson as it was revealed as his first track, a source claimed bosses had to "re-record" his reaction due to his dismay.
An onlooker told the Daily Mail: "You can't blame him for thinking he is being set up to be the joke act, but also the connotations of it [the song] are also not exactly positive either.
"It has been accused of being racist and the song that far-Right football hooligans sing.
"It's pretty thoughtless of the BBC to give it to one of their stars of Strictly, particularly given all of the scandals that have engulfed the show for the last nine months.
The BBC Strictly cast for 2024
BBC
"The BBC clearly forgot its woke agenda on this occasion," the source added.
GB News has contacted the BBC for comment on the claims.
Speaking ahead of his stint on the Saturday night staple, Merson bravely shared the real reason he's decided to join the line-up.
Following bouts of addiction to alcohol and gambling, Merson is hoping that performing on the Strictly dancefloor will provide hope to those in similar battles.
"Being an addict and a recovering alcoholic myself… to show people watching this show who have got addictions, that you can go out and do something like this… is so important," he told the Mirror.
"Because addiction takes you away from everything. That’s all it ever does. It wants you on your own.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
"Now I’m going in front of millions of people doing something I’m not very good at.
"I used to think, ‘I can’t do things like that’ but now I’ve got the opportunity to try.”