Harry Hill forced to drop Smiths medley

Harry Hill has been forced to drop a parody Smiths medley from his new album after guitarist Johnny Marr refused to give permission.

The TV Burp comic had recorded versions of the Smiths greatest hits in the ukulele style of George Formby as a hidden track on the forthcoming Funny Tunes. It was even advertised in the track listing.

But now, just over four weeks before release, the track – which mixed Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, Girlfriend In A Coma and Panic – has had to be dropped.

Hill has previously been hit by problems with the CD’s title. The Beatles’ label Apple Records refused to allow him to call it Sgt Pepper's Vol 2., and Pink Floyd said no to Bright Side Of The Moon.

To compensate, here are five other Smiths comedy parodies:

Frank Sidebottom recorded a version of Panic, subtitled on the streets of Timperley, in his E, F, G& H album in 2009”

Here is Tim Brooke-Taylor singing Girlfriend In A Coma to the tune of Tiptoe Through The Tulips in the stage version of I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue:

The cast of Early Doors sing along to This Charming Man:

Not a direct cover version, but Mitch Benn parodies the style in Never Went Through A Smiths phase:

And Jay Foreman takes on the same style with I Haven’t Got Any Legs:

Harry Hill's Funny Times is out on November 8. Click here to pre-order it from Amazon.

Published: 5 Oct 2010