The Gavin & Stacey Christmas special has come under fire for failing to remove the word "faggot" from Christmas song "The Fairytale of New York".

Controversy has rumbled on for years over the song's use of the word, which is sung by Kirsty MacColl in her duet with The Pogues frontman Shane McGowan.

Many consider the use of the word offensive given its modern use as a homophobic slur. Others argue that the context of the song means the word should be interpreted as traditional Irish slang for a "lazy person".

Following the broadcast of the reunion episode, though, some fans were "offended" by writers James Corden and Ruth Jones's decision to use the version featuring the word.

It is sung in the episode by characters Nessa (Jones) and Bryn (Rob Brydon).

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One Twitter user wrote: "Including the line is... a careless and a real missed opportunity. Imagine if Nessa had simply said 'Oh! Bryn! To be honest, at the end of the day like, I feels uncomfortable using that word in 2019.'"

Another said: "Even if it offends just one person then that’s one person too many."

Other viewers didn't see the harm in using the word.

"I see the lefty snowflakes are out in force on Twitter tonight, protesting about #GavinandStacey," one tweeter wrote, while another added: "Is this for real what I'm reading? Who cares if they sung [the word] in the show – it's part of the song and how it's supposed to be sung. They weren't calling anyone it directly. As a gay man, I think people need to get a grip."

Jones defended the use of the word, arguing that the moment "stayed true to the characters".

She said: "Characters in Gavin & Stacey are kind and big-hearted, I believe. So I think no one is going to be intentionally hurtful.

"But by the same token, they’re not necessarily going to be completely politically correct or be aware of political correctness."

The BBC added: "[The track] is a very popular, much-loved Christmas song played widely throughout the festive season, and the lyrics are well-established with the audience."

Last year, McGowan himself said he was "absolutely fine" with radio stations bleeping the word out.