Roisin Murphy lands biggest chart success of her entire career despite trans activists calling for her to be cancelled over ‘puberty blockers’ comment and label ‘refusing to promote new record’

• Ms Murphy is set to claim the second spot on the UK albums chart for Hit Parade

Irish singer-songwriter Roisin Murphy has landed the biggest chart success of her entire career despite transgender activists calling for her to be cancelled over comments in which she appeared to criticise the use of puberty blockers.

The former Moloko frontwoman, 50, is set to claim the second spot on the UK albums chart for her sixth studio album Hit Parade, which was released on Friday.

Hit Parade will be Murphy’s first UK top 10 album if it continues to strike a chord with fans, with Olivia Rodrigo’s album Guts on track to pip her to the number one spot, according to the Official Charts Company.

The release of Hit Parade follows her critically-acclaimed fifth album Roisin Machine in October 2020, which landed at No 14 on the UK charts and became her then-highest-charted solo album. 

Before the success of Hit Parade, Ms Murphy’s highest-charted album Moloko’s Things to Make and Do in 2000, which ranked third in the UK.

Irish singer-songwriter Roisin Murphy has landed the biggest chart success of her entire career despite transgender activists calling for her to be cancelled over comments in which she appeared to criticise the use of puberty blockers

Ms Murphy, 50, is set to claim the second spot on the UK albums chart for her sixth studio album Hit Parade, which was released on Friday

The release of Hit Parade follows her critically-acclaimed fifth album Roisin Machine in October 2020, which landed at No 14 on the UK charts and became her then-highest-charted solo album. Pictured: Roisin Murphy in November last year 

‘Hit Parade is out now! And it’s doing really well!!’ Ms Murphy tweeted today. ‘If you are a fan get the physical asap because it’s selling like hotcakes and it’s bound to become scarce and very collectible.’ 

The album has been greeted with rave reviews despite the County Wicklow-born singer having hit headlines after making comments on social media about ‘little mixed-up kids’ using puberty blockers. 

Ms Murphy was barracked by activists after she branded puberty blockers ‘f******’ on her private Facebook page and appearing to call trans children ‘little mixed-up kids’.

She later apologised for being the reason for an ‘eruption of damaging and potentially dangerous social media fire and brimstone’ in a post on Twitter, now known as X.

In the long statement, the singer said she has spent her life ‘celebrating diversity and different views’, adding: ‘The music I make is the core of everything I do and it’s ever-evolving, freewheeling and unpredictable.

‘For those of you that are leaving me, or have already left, I understand, I really do, but please know I have loved every one of you.

‘I have always been so proud of my audience and understood the privilege of performing for you, all through the years.

‘…My true calling is music and music will never exclude any of us, I believe it will always be one of the greatest tools we can use to create a culture of tolerance.’ 

Róisín Murphy, pictured at last month’s Connect Music Festival in Scotland, has been targeted by trans activists over comments she made on her private Facebook page calling puberty blockers ‘f*****’

The Irish singer posted a grovelling apology on Twitter on Tuesday, saying: ‘I have been thrown into a very public discourse in an arena I’m uncomfortable in and deeply unsuitable for’

Two scheduled performances featuring the 50-year-old in London this week to coincide with the launch of the album have been axed, with supporters branding it an example of cancel culture.

Ms Murphy had been due to play two acoustic shows and take part in two signings at Rough Trade East in London on Friday, but these were cancelled at short notice with no reason given as to why.

It comes amid reports that her record label, Ninja Tune, will stop its public relations campaign for her new album and will release it without promotion.

The independent label has not commented publicly so far on the row, but a source told the Toronto Star the label plans to give all proceeds from the album to organisations that combat transphobia.

When asked by a fan about rumours all proceeds from the album would go to trans charities, Ms Murphy was quick to dismiss them.

Róisín Murphy, pictured here at Connect Festival 2023, began her career with producer Mark Brydon as the electronic duo Moloko

She said: ‘Those reports were unconfirmed by the label. They have made no official statement whatsoever and they are not intending to donate proceeds from the record to charity. I checked!”

Ms Murphy began her career with producer Mark Brydon as the electronic duo Moloko.

They were known for The Time Is Now, a remix of Sing It Back and Familiar Feeling, before Ms Murphy moved into solo work.

In 2015, the singer was nominated for a Mercury Prize for album Hairless Toys which features the songs Gone Fishing, Evil Eyes, and Unputdownable.

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