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Ding Dong song No2 in chart

'Ding Dong! the Witch is Dead' failed to reach number one in the official singles chart despite a campaign to promote the song in the wake of Margaret Thatcher's death. The song, which is from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, reached number two.

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BBC Radio 1 controller explains Ding Dong decision

BBC Radio 1's controller, Ben Cooper, released the following statement defending his decision not to play the full song:

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.

I think there's a large part of the population that finds it disrespectful but then on the other hand you have a part of society which has decided to demonstrate in this way.

If I wasn't to play it then I would be seen as banning it and that would bring up issues of freedom of speech and censorship.

– Ben Cooper, controller of BBC Radio 1

Watch an interview with Ben Cooper on his decision here.

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Ding Dong song No2 in chart

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