Morrissey has revealed that he did not ask for the This Charming Charlie Tumblr – which inserts lyrics from The Smiths into strips from the classic Peanuts comics – to be removed from the web.

The Tumblr page quickly became a hit online, but it was revealed last month that Universal Music had requested that they started removing posts. This Charming Charlie subsequently posted a statement which read: “The Smiths’ licensing company (Universal Music Publishing Group) has started requesting posts be removed from This Charming Charlie. So far 6 posts have been removed, and it is increasing every hour. If you like the page, please save copies of the comics to your own computer.”

Now, however, Morrissey has released a statement of his own, which has been published via fansite www.true-to-you.net. “Morrissey would like to stress that he has not been consulted over any takedown request to remove the Tumblr blog named ‘This Charming Charlie’. Morrissey is represented by Warner-Chappell Publishing, and not Universal Music Publishing (who have allegedly demanded that the lyrics be removed).”

It concludes: “Morrissey is delighted and flattered by the Peanuts comic strip with its use of Morrissey-Smiths lyrics, and he hopes that the strips remain.”

It was revealed last week that Morrissey’s long-awaited autobiography will be released on October 17. The release of the book has been delayed numerous times in recent months and appeared to have been pulled entirely at the last minute following a “content dispute” between the singer and publisher, but the tome will be available in the UK and Europe later this month.

Over the past year Morrissey has postponed and cancelled a host of tour dates because of his mother’s and his own ill health. He recently revealed that he nearly died earlier this year due to medical problems.
[NME]