Spinner

Holly Johnson Insulted Prince With Phone Sex Gag

Holly Johnson picked up a prize at the Q Awards two weeks ago, an award celebrating the 25th anniversary of his landmark single 'Relax' from his old group Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

A pretty out-of-the-ordinary experience for the quietly-spoken Johnson, who by his own admission usually avoids these kind of back-slapping industry events.

'Relax' was arguably the biggest pop song of 1984 in the UK -- despite being banned by the BBC's Radio 1 for its sexually provocative lyrics. It's believed to have sold at least 1.9m copies in the UK alone that year.

Johnson tells Spinner, amid the clatter of a west London cafe near his house, the last time he accepted an award for the song, he got himself in trouble with one of the biggest stars of the 1980s...

"The last time I picked up the award for 'Relax' was at the BPI Awards in 1985, which later became the Brit Awards, and we got the BBC Radio 1 Listener's Award, even though they weren't able to listen to it. And it was the only award voted by the public. I think we also got best band that year," he says.

"I had to hand out an award to Prince for Best International Act, but I ended up offending Prince. At the time, the Village People had just released a record, and that had been banned, strangely.

"I said, 'I've never met this guy, but we've had sex over the phone.' That was the title of the Village People track, and it was my attempt at humour. But obviously Prince's face on the big screen dropped a million miles, and his big bodyguard came walking towards me. He wasn't best pleased. He felt he'd been treated with utmost disrespect."

Twenty-five years on, Spinner can report Johnson is suitably contrite. "I do apologise, Prince. It was never my intention to offend you in any way."

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D.E

I LIKE YORKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

November 21 2009 at 8:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Eugene

Children!!! Children!!!! You're all sitting there in your short trousers making nasty Comments on your PCs to each other because in real life you get so frustrated knowing that you're nobodies. This is your way of making yourselves look like big men. Grow up!!
Go and cry to Mummy. You're frightening the horses. But no-one else!!

November 21 2009 at 7:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mick

Fiona

You really crack me up love, i nearly pissed myself laughing at your comment!! Good on ya girl!!!!!!!!!

November 21 2009 at 5:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
streat

jilly quest ,
what a weirdo -- get yourself a life before making such a stupid rant .

November 20 2009 at 8:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
warjacqui

all I can say LINDAGALE is...."relax"...!

November 20 2009 at 7:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
john morgan

I thought Prince was offensive himself, why should anyone care if he were offended then and why is it relevant today when he no longer is.

November 09 2009 at 9:33 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
d

ya, I remember back in 1412 when I told an old British woman her crumpets were too flaky. she only half smirked. I think about it 10-12 hours everyday... because it's so important to everyone... poor woman.. please forgive my jest.

November 09 2009 at 9:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to d's comment
D.E

Im diggin your style Bro....wh was she a lumberjack or a woman selling pegs????

November 21 2009 at 8:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
robert

Well apparently YOU cared enough about it to comment on it. HYPOCRITE!

November 09 2009 at 8:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Theresa

What does this have to do with the story. I'm sick of people using blogging areas for commercials.

November 09 2009 at 8:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dennis McAnany

WHY 25 YEARS LATER? WHY DO YOU WASTE OUR TIME WITH SUCH LATE ABD BORING TRIVIA? ARE YOU RUNNING OUT OF TALES TO TELL?

November 09 2009 at 7:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply