Holly Johnson 'felt there was homophobia involved' in Relax banning
Holly Johnson "felt there was homophobia" involved after the BBC temporarily banned 'Relax'.
The Frankie Goes to Hollywood frontman believes it was "a bit of a storm in a teacup" when the then-BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read branded the lyrics of the gay anthem as scandalous.
The corporation then banned the song from playing on the radio and TV for a few weeks in early 1984, before eventually lifting the censorship as the track rose to number one on the UK Singles Chart, where it stayed for five weeks.
Holly, 65, told The i newspaper: "I felt there was homophobia involved, and they let their imaginations run wild with themselves thinking, because I'm gay, 'It's all about gay sex, and we can't have that.'
"There's no reference to gay sex, really, in the record."
Holly believes the situation was totally overblown by the BBC.
The music star said: "I thought it was a bit of a storm in a teacup."
'Relax' was a massive hit, and the band - formed of Holly, Paul Rutherford, Mark O'Toole, Brian Nash and Peter Gill - continued their success with the release of 'Two Tribes' later in 1984.
The track spent nine weeks at number one in the UK Singles Chart, and the group's feet "didn't touch the ground" with the constant touring and TV interview appearances.
But looking back at that time, Holly thinks there was "no consideration" for the boys' "physical and mental health".
The star - who quit Frankie Goes to Hollywood in 1987 - admitted: "There was no consideration for our physical and mental health.
"It was just, 'Get those boys over there. Sell, sell, sell.'"
Frankie Goes to Hollywood reunited and sang their 1984 song 'Welcome to the Pleasuredome' at the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest in their hometown of Liverpool in 2023 - but Holly has cast doubt on whether there will be a full get-together in the future.
He said: "I entertained the idea for a while after, but it seems to have gone away now."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Danny Boyle reveals his London 2012 regret
Danny Boyle still has one big regret about the opening ceremony of London 2012. The 68-year-old filmmaker devised and directed Isles of Wonder, the opening ceremony of the London Olympics, which featured nods to James Bond, Queen Elizabeth, the National Health Service, and William Shakespeare - but Danny regrets that the BBC wasn't a bigger part of the production. Speaking to the Guardian newspaper, Danny explained: "My biggest regret was that we didn't feature the BBC more. "I was stopped from doing it because it was the host broadcaster. Every other objection, I told them to go f*** themselves. But that one I accepted and I regret that now, especially given the way that technology is moving. "The idea that we have a broadcaster that is part of our national identity but is also trusted around the world and that can't be bought, can't be subsumed into Meta or whatever, feels really precious. So yeah, if I was doing it again I'd big up the BBC big time. Everything else I'd do exactly the same." Danny is well-known for directing movies such as Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, and Slumdog Millionaire. But the acclaimed director admits to being contradictory in his approach to life and filmmaking. He explained: "The last time Lou Reed spoke in public, he said: 'I want to blow it all up,' because he was still a punk at heart. And if you can embrace that spirit, it keeps you in a fluid, changeable state that's more important than having some fixed place where you belong. So, I do try to carry those values and keep that kind of faith. "Not that my work is truly revolutionary or radical. I mean, I'm not smashing things to pieces. I value the popular audience. I believe in popular entertainment. I want to push the boat out, but take the popular audience with me." Asked if his approach is contradictory, Danny replied: "Yeah, of course it is. But I've found a way to resolve it – in my own mind, at least."
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
The secret genius of the air fryer is revealed
This is the start of the third season of this engaging series that looks into the origins of everyday items. Host Hannah Fry will take the long view in explaining things, which is what makes the series so good. Take the investigation into air fryers, which have only been around for a little while. Fry's story goes as far back as World War II and a US Navy pilot's efforts to work out a way of serving a hot meal in the skies. His invention was quickly taken up by passenger airlines and ultimately ended up providing the quick cooking capabilities in the air fryer. That is using heated air similar to the standard oven in your kitchen (yeah, despite the name, there is no frying going on) but, because the air fryer is much smaller the cooking time is decreased. What also helps that speedy cooking time are those ridges at the bottom, which circulate the air around the food. Back in 1999 when the original series under this name aired it was a bit of a big deal. The BBC had splashed the cash to bring dinosaurs to life with some pretty good special effects for a TV show. And it paid off in terms of ratings, with the show becoming one of the most popular science programs ever. The same can't be said of this 2025 revamp. The world of special effects has moved forward a whole lot since 1999, with people expecting so much more realism. And realism is a real problem for the new version of Walking With Dinosaurs. The effects that bring the dinos here are pretty unimpressive and sometimes even look a little dodgy. At no stage in this episode did I think "wow, those dinosaurs look real". They always, always, always look fake. It feels as though the makers realised the special effects were not up to scratch. The show regularly cuts away from the dinosaurs and to scenes of palaeontologists digging up fossils (though they appear to be re-enacting the moment of their discovery for the camera). The two stories are meant to be linked - the palaeontologists are digging up the bones of the dinosaurs we see in the special effects scenes. But it doesn't really come off and instead feels the former is padding out time because the latter aren't good enough on their own to hold up the show. Binge-watchers will be pleased that all six episodes of this show have been let loose on 7Plus at the same time. That's a good thing because Stags is an unusual show that draws you in. It's kind of like a nightmarish version of The Hangover movies in that it features a big party that goes very, very badly. Here Stu is away in an unnamed South American country on his bucks party - called a Stag night in other parts of the world. Much fun is being had until it all goes pear-shaped when one of their number gets busted trying to sneak a belly full of drugs out of the country. That sees the lot of them end up in prison. But not just any prison, it's a jail on an island run by two warring siblings. You want anything - even food or medical attention - it costs money. And the doctor on the island doesn't mind a little organ harvesting of prisoners. The jail scenario doesn't make a lot of sense when you think about it, but the dark comedy and the endearing nature of the eight idiots abroad make it easy to overlook that. This is the start of the third season of this engaging series that looks into the origins of everyday items. Host Hannah Fry will take the long view in explaining things, which is what makes the series so good. Take the investigation into air fryers, which have only been around for a little while. Fry's story goes as far back as World War II and a US Navy pilot's efforts to work out a way of serving a hot meal in the skies. His invention was quickly taken up by passenger airlines and ultimately ended up providing the quick cooking capabilities in the air fryer. That is using heated air similar to the standard oven in your kitchen (yeah, despite the name, there is no frying going on) but, because the air fryer is much smaller the cooking time is decreased. What also helps that speedy cooking time are those ridges at the bottom, which circulate the air around the food. Back in 1999 when the original series under this name aired it was a bit of a big deal. The BBC had splashed the cash to bring dinosaurs to life with some pretty good special effects for a TV show. And it paid off in terms of ratings, with the show becoming one of the most popular science programs ever. The same can't be said of this 2025 revamp. The world of special effects has moved forward a whole lot since 1999, with people expecting so much more realism. And realism is a real problem for the new version of Walking With Dinosaurs. The effects that bring the dinos here are pretty unimpressive and sometimes even look a little dodgy. At no stage in this episode did I think "wow, those dinosaurs look real". They always, always, always look fake. It feels as though the makers realised the special effects were not up to scratch. The show regularly cuts away from the dinosaurs and to scenes of palaeontologists digging up fossils (though they appear to be re-enacting the moment of their discovery for the camera). The two stories are meant to be linked - the palaeontologists are digging up the bones of the dinosaurs we see in the special effects scenes. But it doesn't really come off and instead feels the former is padding out time because the latter aren't good enough on their own to hold up the show. Binge-watchers will be pleased that all six episodes of this show have been let loose on 7Plus at the same time. That's a good thing because Stags is an unusual show that draws you in. It's kind of like a nightmarish version of The Hangover movies in that it features a big party that goes very, very badly. Here Stu is away in an unnamed South American country on his bucks party - called a Stag night in other parts of the world. Much fun is being had until it all goes pear-shaped when one of their number gets busted trying to sneak a belly full of drugs out of the country. That sees the lot of them end up in prison. But not just any prison, it's a jail on an island run by two warring siblings. You want anything - even food or medical attention - it costs money. And the doctor on the island doesn't mind a little organ harvesting of prisoners. The jail scenario doesn't make a lot of sense when you think about it, but the dark comedy and the endearing nature of the eight idiots abroad make it easy to overlook that. This is the start of the third season of this engaging series that looks into the origins of everyday items. Host Hannah Fry will take the long view in explaining things, which is what makes the series so good. Take the investigation into air fryers, which have only been around for a little while. Fry's story goes as far back as World War II and a US Navy pilot's efforts to work out a way of serving a hot meal in the skies. His invention was quickly taken up by passenger airlines and ultimately ended up providing the quick cooking capabilities in the air fryer. That is using heated air similar to the standard oven in your kitchen (yeah, despite the name, there is no frying going on) but, because the air fryer is much smaller the cooking time is decreased. What also helps that speedy cooking time are those ridges at the bottom, which circulate the air around the food. Back in 1999 when the original series under this name aired it was a bit of a big deal. The BBC had splashed the cash to bring dinosaurs to life with some pretty good special effects for a TV show. And it paid off in terms of ratings, with the show becoming one of the most popular science programs ever. The same can't be said of this 2025 revamp. The world of special effects has moved forward a whole lot since 1999, with people expecting so much more realism. And realism is a real problem for the new version of Walking With Dinosaurs. The effects that bring the dinos here are pretty unimpressive and sometimes even look a little dodgy. At no stage in this episode did I think "wow, those dinosaurs look real". They always, always, always look fake. It feels as though the makers realised the special effects were not up to scratch. The show regularly cuts away from the dinosaurs and to scenes of palaeontologists digging up fossils (though they appear to be re-enacting the moment of their discovery for the camera). The two stories are meant to be linked - the palaeontologists are digging up the bones of the dinosaurs we see in the special effects scenes. But it doesn't really come off and instead feels the former is padding out time because the latter aren't good enough on their own to hold up the show. Binge-watchers will be pleased that all six episodes of this show have been let loose on 7Plus at the same time. That's a good thing because Stags is an unusual show that draws you in. It's kind of like a nightmarish version of The Hangover movies in that it features a big party that goes very, very badly. Here Stu is away in an unnamed South American country on his bucks party - called a Stag night in other parts of the world. Much fun is being had until it all goes pear-shaped when one of their number gets busted trying to sneak a belly full of drugs out of the country. That sees the lot of them end up in prison. But not just any prison, it's a jail on an island run by two warring siblings. You want anything - even food or medical attention - it costs money. And the doctor on the island doesn't mind a little organ harvesting of prisoners. The jail scenario doesn't make a lot of sense when you think about it, but the dark comedy and the endearing nature of the eight idiots abroad make it easy to overlook that. This is the start of the third season of this engaging series that looks into the origins of everyday items. Host Hannah Fry will take the long view in explaining things, which is what makes the series so good. Take the investigation into air fryers, which have only been around for a little while. Fry's story goes as far back as World War II and a US Navy pilot's efforts to work out a way of serving a hot meal in the skies. His invention was quickly taken up by passenger airlines and ultimately ended up providing the quick cooking capabilities in the air fryer. That is using heated air similar to the standard oven in your kitchen (yeah, despite the name, there is no frying going on) but, because the air fryer is much smaller the cooking time is decreased. What also helps that speedy cooking time are those ridges at the bottom, which circulate the air around the food. Back in 1999 when the original series under this name aired it was a bit of a big deal. The BBC had splashed the cash to bring dinosaurs to life with some pretty good special effects for a TV show. And it paid off in terms of ratings, with the show becoming one of the most popular science programs ever. The same can't be said of this 2025 revamp. The world of special effects has moved forward a whole lot since 1999, with people expecting so much more realism. And realism is a real problem for the new version of Walking With Dinosaurs. The effects that bring the dinos here are pretty unimpressive and sometimes even look a little dodgy. At no stage in this episode did I think "wow, those dinosaurs look real". They always, always, always look fake. It feels as though the makers realised the special effects were not up to scratch. The show regularly cuts away from the dinosaurs and to scenes of palaeontologists digging up fossils (though they appear to be re-enacting the moment of their discovery for the camera). The two stories are meant to be linked - the palaeontologists are digging up the bones of the dinosaurs we see in the special effects scenes. But it doesn't really come off and instead feels the former is padding out time because the latter aren't good enough on their own to hold up the show. Binge-watchers will be pleased that all six episodes of this show have been let loose on 7Plus at the same time. That's a good thing because Stags is an unusual show that draws you in. It's kind of like a nightmarish version of The Hangover movies in that it features a big party that goes very, very badly. Here Stu is away in an unnamed South American country on his bucks party - called a Stag night in other parts of the world. Much fun is being had until it all goes pear-shaped when one of their number gets busted trying to sneak a belly full of drugs out of the country. That sees the lot of them end up in prison. But not just any prison, it's a jail on an island run by two warring siblings. You want anything - even food or medical attention - it costs money. And the doctor on the island doesn't mind a little organ harvesting of prisoners. The jail scenario doesn't make a lot of sense when you think about it, but the dark comedy and the endearing nature of the eight idiots abroad make it easy to overlook that.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Dune: Messiah casts Jason Momoa's son Nakoa-Wolf Momoa as Leto Atreides II
Nakoa-Wolf Momoa has been cast in Dune: Messiah. The 16-year-old actor - who is the son of Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet - is set to appear alongside Ida Brooke as Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) and Chani's (Zendaya) twins Leto II and Ghanima, Deadline has said. Dune: Messiah will mark Nakoa-Wolf's cinematic debut and will see him appear on-screen with his father - who will be playing Duncan Idaho - while Brooke has been seen in Apple's sci-fi drama Silo and the 2024 BBC series The Primrose Railway Children. Dune: Messiah - which will be directed by Denis Villeneuve - will be based on author Frank Herbert's 1969 novel of the same name, and will follow Paul Atreides (Chalamet) 12 years into his rule as Emperor of the Known Universe while his reign is engulfed with political conspiracies and moral dilemmas. As prophecy collides with power, Paul must confront the cost of becoming a messiah. Dune: Messiah will see the return of Florence Pugh's Princess Irulan, Rebecca Ferguson's Lady Jessica, Javier Bardem's Stilgar, and Josh Brolin's Gurney Halleck. Robert Pattinson is also said to be in the running for the antagonist role of Scytale - a Face Dancer and secret agent of the Bene Tleilax who plays a central role in Dune: Messiah as part of a conspiracy to overthrow Paul Atreides. The film is set to start shooting this summer, and is expected to hit screens in December 2026. Jason Momoa recently confirmed he is due to come back for Dune: Messiah as Duncan Idaho, who is resurrected as a ghola - a genetically engineered clone that plays a critical role in a conspiracy against Paul Atreides. Speaking on the Today show about his involvement in Dune: Messiah, he said: 'Well, I'm not sure if I'm going to get in trouble or not. But it's the same thing like Game of Thrones, you know what I mean? If you didn't read the books, it's not my fault, right? 'I'm making a comeback. You got me in trouble!' Villeneuve said he felt 'inspired' to make another Dune movie after he took a break from the franchise following Dune: Part Two, which released in March 2024. Speaking to TheWrap, the director said: 'When I saw Part Two finished, finally, I realised that that was it. I'd done it. I'd done an adaptation of Dune. And that is something that is an incredible privilege. I'm very grateful to have the chance to have done it. 'I think my biggest surprise about this is that I don't want to run away from Arrakis. I'm still inspired to go back. That's the thing that I was the most surprised by.' The Blade Runner 2049 filmmaker had initially planned to tackle other projects before revisiting the Dune series for Messiah, though found the pull of completing the trilogy too much to resist. He continued: 'I felt that after Part Two, I would need a break. I thought that I would want to go write a few films or do a couple of things before going back to Dune: Messiah. 'But the images that kept coming back to my mind, the appetite is absolutely intact. That's the biggest surprise. I still want to go back to Arrakis.'
