Morrissey Slams BBC Over Airplay, but His 'Top 6' Chart Claim Doesn't Add Up

Morrissey published a statement on his personal site Morrissey Central on Saturday, July 5, 2026, accusing BBC radio stations of refusing to play his new single "Notre Dame." The post was titled "Diversity is a Lie," echoing the name of his latest album, Make-Up Is A Lie. In it, he revisited old grievances with the BBC and waded into commentary on multiculturalism, drawing wide attention.

The statement and the BBC dispute

Morrissey wrote that BBC radio has an obligation to reflect popular taste, yet refuses to play "Notre Dame." He implied that any song carrying "independent thought" gets deliberately frozen out.

He went further, comparing the word "diversity" to "Third Reich doctrine," language that has drawn controversy. Morrissey Central simultaneously claimed that "Notre Dame" sits at No. 6 on the UK Official Chart despite "zero radio play" — a claim that doesn't match the actual data from Official Charts. That week's No. 6 spot was held by Olivia Rodrigo's single "The Cure."

Old wounds with Johnny Marr resurface

Around the same time, Morrissey also went after former bandmate Johnny Marr over an unannounced BBC radio documentary about The Smiths, saying Marr has spent "the last forty years only looking backward." The lengthy post attacking Marr and The Guardian has since been removed from Morrissey Central, though screenshots continue to circulate online.

Morrissey has also recently claimed to be the victim of online identity fraud. With multiple controversies unfolding at once, the former Smiths frontman is once again in the spotlight of the UK music press.