BBC will not play full version of anti-Thatcher campaign song 'Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead'

With ‘Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead’ from The Wizard Of Oz on course for a top three spot this weekend, BBC bosses have ruled out the anti-Thatcher campaign song being played in full on Sunday’s chart show.

The Beeb chiefs had been under pressure from the likes of the Daily Mail newspaper after the song, being promoted to celebrate the death of the former British Prime Minister, saw rising sales.

Ben Cooper, Radio 1′s Controller, told Newsbeat:

“I am not going to play it in full but I will play a clip of it. You have very difficult and emotional arguments on both sides of the fence. Let’s not forget you also have a family that is grieving for a loved one who is yet to be buried.”

The track, performed by Judy Garland with the cast of the 1939 film, has gone from tenth place to third position in a matter of days as sales continue to increase. As well as this, it also currently sits at top spot of the iTunes chart and number one in the Amazon MP3 chart also.

Listen to ‘Ding Dong!’ below. Thatcher passed away on Monday (8 April), aged 87.