Mick Hartley

The latest in the Roisin Murphy affair:

Singer Roisin Murphy has been cancelled by the BBC after criticising puberty blockers.

The star was due to be celebrated in ten hours of shows on the Corporation's 6 Music channel next week but on Monday bosses decided to axe them – leaving staff at the station furious.

Five hours of Ms Murphy's songs, interviews and highlights of her concerts which were put together for a programme called the 6 Music Artist Collection was due to be aired between midnight and 5am next Monday, and again on Tuesday.

However, they were suddenly cancelled earlier this week with no explanation given to production staff….

Some old radio programmes featuring Ms Murphy, who was previously in 90's band Moloko, are also unavailable to listen to on BBC Sounds.

Two weeks ago, in a post written on Facebook, Ms Murphy called puberty blockers – gender-affirming care for transgender youth that prevent puberty – 'absolutely desolate, big pharma laughing all the way to the bank' used for 'little mixed-up kids.' She also urged for children to be protected.

Murphy requested that people did not call her a 'TERF' —or trans-exclusionary radical feminist which is a term used as a pejorative against those who advocate for women but oppose transgender identities—and suggested this term is used too often against women.

The post was screenshotted and shared across social media, prompted much anger from the trans community.

Ms Murphy later apologised for her comments.

An insider told the Mail: 'The BBC is supposed to be an impartial organisation so it is outrageous that Roisin can't express her view without being cancelled by our national broadcaster….

It is understood that a meeting was held on Monday where the situation was discussed. The schedule was later changed and published on their website despite her being on course to claim the second spot on the UK album chart for her sixth studio album, Hit Parade, which was released last Friday.

Two of Ms Murphy's concerts, due to take place in London this week, have been have been cancelled, with her fans describing the decision as an example of cancel culture.

She had been due to play two acoustic shows and take part in two signings at Rough Trade East in London this Friday, but these were cancelled at short notice with no reason given as to why.

If you've been following this story, you'll know that the Guardian review of Murphy's new album, while giving it 5 stars, piled on the abuse and called her attack on puberty blockers "an ugly stain". The writer, Laura Snapes, referred to a study which was supposed to demonstrate their efficacy. For a comprehensive debunking of that study, see this from Kathryn Jones at The Glinner Update.