PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

MORRISSEY HAS CLAIMED that he declined the opportunity to deliver Channel 4′s annual alternative Christmas message this year.

In a statement to fan site True To You, the singer claimed that he didn’t think Christmas Day was an appropriate time to be “trading slaps” with the Queen, who he has criticised on numerous occasions.

My view that the monarchy should be quietly dismantled for the good of England is reasonably well-known, but I don’t think Christmas Day is quite the time to be trading slaps. The Queen should be allowed the impassioned trance of her annual address to the British people, if only to once again prove that, in her frozen posture, she has nothing to offer and nothing to say, and she has no place in modern Britain except as a figure of repression; no independent thought required.

Harsh words.

And though it was not to be, the prospect of a Christmas message delivered by Morrissey was a source of excitement for many.

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Despite Morrissey’s claims, however, Channel 4 is denying that it ever made such an offer, telling NME that no approach was made.

We are not aware of any approach having been made to Morrissey to deliver Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas message.

Oh.

Reddit Reddit

The alternative Christmas message has been broadcast every year since 1993 and previous presenters have included Sacha Baron Cohen, Jamie Oliver, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Sharon Osbourne.

Whistleblower Edward Snowden delivered last year’s speech.

Morrissey showed a graphic animal abuse video at his Dublin gig and people were traumatised >