Madonna fans are furious with the BBC's Radio 1, saying station DJs blacklisted the 56-year-old pop star's latest single based on her age.
The Daily Mail (UK) reported on Saturday that Madonna's newest single, "Living for Love," has been available since Dec. 20, but has only been played once on Radio 1, on Jan. 9 by DJ Annie Mac. According to the Mail, DJs are free to go off the station's current playlist after 7 p.m.
Adding insult to injury,
E! Online pointed out that Madge's new single was spinning on BBC Radio 2, a station catering to the over-35 crowd, which seemed to fan the flames of the controversy even further.
After the facts came to light, fans were outraged, and besieged Radio 1's Facebook and Twitter accounts demanding it play the new single. Many pointed out that Madonna performed the song at the Grammys, and that it should therefore be more than good enough for the BBC.
Radio 1 soon responded on Facebook, releasing a statement that many thought confirmed that the station was run by ageists.
"Radio 1 does not ban anyone – please don’t believe the papers," it began.
"The tracks played on Radio 1 are chosen on musical merit and their relevance to our young audience on a case-by-case basis, and whilst around 40% of the country's 15 to 29-year-olds tune into Radio 1 each week, an artist's age is never a factor. In fact, Paul McCartney currently has two tracks - 'FourFiveSeconds' and 'Only One' - on the Radio 1 playlist."
The statement wasn't good enough for the Material Girl's fans, who continued to call for her admission to the playlist.
Those fans included young superstar DJ and electronic artist Diplo, as well as fellow pop star Boy George. Many fans also began highlighting an interview Madonna gave when she was 34. In the interview Madonna defends her future self, saying people should strive to remain adventurous as they grow older.