BBC bosses said the songs would instead feature as orchestral versions amid fears of a backlash from Black Lives Matter campaigners due to controversial lyrics. The BBC’s decision sparked a furious backlash on social media with some users even saying they wanted to cancel their licence fees as a result. Now Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party, has spoken out on Twitter.
Responding to a news article about the lyric ban, Mr Farage tweeted: “The only thing that needs cancelling is the BBC itself.”
The tweet racked up thousands of likes and retweets, with many users commenting in agreement.
One user responded: “BBC is no longer fit for purpose and I will never buy a licence again.
“Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia ARE the proms.
“This woke, Marxist stupidity has gone on long enough. Time for the majority to be heard.”
A second added: “The BBC are going to kill themselves off.
“They’ve become too woke and self-righteous. With thousands refusing to pay their TV licences and more each day not going to renew – this dinosaur will finally be extinct in a few years.”
“Why change our history!!!” added a third.
JUST IN: North Korea horror: Sick new school policy enforced by Kim Jong-un
Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen tweeted: “The BBC is reported to be considering banning the singing of patriotic songs at the proms.
“They want you to be ashamed to be British however It only makes me ashamed of the BBC management.
“I love living in a Land of Hope and Glory.”
Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice blasted: “If BBC wants to cancel our patriotism & our history by not singing Rule Britannia & Land of Hope & Glory, so I want to cancel my license fee.
“They are in breach of their contract with the British people #DefundTheBBC.”
Former Brexit Party MEP Martin Daubney said: “Another nail in the coffin for the BBC as they cowardly buckle & remove the lyrics to ‘patriotic’ songs such as Rule Britannia at the Proms
“Why does the BBC hate Britain, our flag & our heritage?
“This is pure, provocative cultural vandalism!”
The traditional songs are usually played at Last Night of the Proms every year as the audience join in waving flags and singing along.
However, orchestral versions without lyrics will be performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 12.
The event will also have no audience due to coronavirus measures.
In a statement, the BBC said: “The programme will include a new arrangement by Errollyn Wallen of Hubert Parry’s Jerusalem alongside new orchestral versions of Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1 ‘Land Of Hope And Glory’ (arr. Anne Dudley) and Rule Britannia! as part of the Sea Songs, as Henry Wood did in 1905.”
