Bono is claiming his remark calling Chris Martin “a wanker” was a joke.
While one of the tracks in the new U2 album is called ‘Stand-Up Comedy’ the U2 singer is not exactly known for his own stand-up comedy routines.Joke or no joke, this comment went down the very wrong way.
In an interview on BBC with Jo Whiley, Bono said about Martin, “I think he is that good a melodist. I mean, he's a wanker” and then soon after “he's a dysfunctional character and a cretin”.
The Bono street team was quick to come to the singer’s defense claiming that he didn’t mean anything by the remark, but the fact remains ... he said it.
Even presenter Jo Whiley took it seriously. “Are you going to apologise for what you just said, live on my show on Radio 1?,” she asked as soon as Bono said it.
Coldplay, who are currently on tour in Australia, have not commented on Bono’s remark.
Here is how the interview panned out.
Jo Whiley : Bono, you did an interview just now with Zane Lowe where you talked about Coldplay and said that Chris Martin is right up there, right up there with the likes of Paul McCartney?
Bono: Yes, I did. I think he is that good a melodist. I mean, he's a wanker (more laughter)... but, eh...
Jo Whiley: Are you going to apologise for what you just said, live on my show on Radio 1?
Bono: (gasps, inhales sharply) Oh, sorry, I'm a reformed character, by the way! I don't do that any more!
JW: You're not showing signs of being reformed...
Bono: Can we delete that?
Jo Whiley: No we can't.
Bono: And he's a dysfunctional character and a cretin.
Jo Whiley: (laughs) Again apologies..
Bono: (getting serious) But he happens to be a genius melodist and, I think, up there with Ray Davies and Noel Gallagher and Paul McCartney and I absolutely think they're a great band and it actually turns out he's a great soul as well. So, I'm sorry, sorry about that...
(Both laugh)
Jo Whiley: And I am sorry if anybody is listening at the moment and you were offended by the bad word that Bono said just now, and I apologise on Bono's behalf too.
Bono: I was just joking entirely.
