Editor Reports: BBC Radio 1 To Play Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead?

BBC Radio 1 is set to play Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead, from the 1939 cult film the Wizard of Oz, as the song enters the Top Ten UK singles chart.

The song has entered the charts because of a campaign by anti Thatcher protestors in the light of the former PM’s death on Monday. While the right-wing media fall over themselves to pay homage to the former Prime Minster the backlash against Thatcher’s legacy has already begun with several online campaigns and parties being held around the country. Thatcher’s funeral will be held in London next Wednesday with police planning their biggest operation since the Olympics last years due to fears over protests and possible riots.

The Official Charts Company has stated that Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead is on course to reach number 4 in the UK charts on Sunday – this is a rise from its 10th position placing earlier this week. Thousands of people have downloaded the song despite the press – unsurprisingly led by the Daily Mail – leading a hate campaign against the anti-Thatcher protestors.

The entry of Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead posed problems for the BBC which would come under fire for airing the song, from the likes of the Daily Mail, but would also face claims of censorship if it omitted the song from its chart-show. Media Guardian reports that the BBC are planning to air the song on Sunday on BBC Radio 1 but that a presenter will probably explain the reason why the tune has entered the charts.

The final decision will not be made until Sunday itself and could depend on press coverage, likely public reaction to the decision to play/not to play and if the tune stays on track for the 4th position.