BBC Radio 1 Criticized Over Alleged Madonna Snub

No Love For Madonna?

BBC RADIO is getting plenty of blowback over their supposed "announcement" (actually a DAILY MAIL quote from "anonymous sources")  they won't be playing MADONNA's new music because "she's too old," according to the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS.

Listeners are complaining that BBC's RADIO 1 station has banned the 56-year-old star from its playlist despite demands for her new single, "Living for Love," which she recently premiered with a performance on the GRAMMY AWARDS.

MADONNA fans BOY GEORGE and DIPLO have weighed in on the controversy.

"At least @BBCR1 had the decency to tell @MADONNA she was irrelevant. They haven't played me for 20 years!" the 53-year-old CULTURE CLUIB singer tweeted.

RADIO 1 denied the programming move was made on the basis of age, saying "musical merit" was the determining factor.

"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 1- to-29-year-olds tune into RADIO 1 each week, an artist's age is never a factor."

RADIO 1 went on to point out a pair of PAUL McCARTNEY songs, "FourFiveSeconds" and "Only One," were getting airplay, even though they also feature RIHANNA and KANYE WEST, respectively.

"Living for Love," which is off MADONNA's upcoming album "Rebel Heart," is currently getting spins on BBC RADIO 2, which caters to listeners over 35.

"Wait, so your #1 most-requested song is 'Living for Love,' yet you fail to add it to the list still?" wrote one commenter after the station released its latest chart, which includes SAM SMITH, MAROON 5 and TAYLOR SWIFT.

MADONNA entered the discussion on TWITTER, posting excerpts from an old interview where she discussed aging in the music industry.

"Once you reach a certain age, you're not allowed to be adventurous. You're now allowed to be sexual," she is quoted as saying. "Is there a rule?! Are you supposed to just die when you're 40?" It was from an interview with BRITISH TV host JONATHAN ROSS. "Predicting the future so many years ago!" she added.

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