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Bono: likes a joke, as you can see.

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In a bizarre outburst on a UK radio show, U2 frontman Bono has dubbed Coldplay singer Chris Martin "a wanker" and "a cretin".

The star made the remarks during a live interview with Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 1. The presenter asked Bono about a previous comment that had seen him compare Martin to Paul McCartney. He replied: "Yeah, I think he's that good a melodist… I mean, he's a wanker."

After being reprimanded by Whiley for his language, Bono apologised and continued: "Obviously he is a completely dysfunctional character and a cretin but he happens to be a genius melodist and I think up there with Ray Davies and Noel Gallagher and Paul McCartney.

"I think [Coldplay] are a great band and actually it turns out he's a great soul as well. Sorry about that."

It was a strange little episode to be sure and, despite the fact Bono may well have had his tongue in his cheek – "I was just joking, it's early," he later said – we wonder what Chris Martin made of it all.

You can listen to the exchange below.