AS a publicity stunt it went badly wrong. Supposedly plugging his latest record, Brian Harvey, the lead singer of the top British boy band East 17, began to reminisce during a radio interview about his "love" days on the "safe" drug, ecstasy.
Within minutes of the interview being broadcast, radio stations - across Britain banned his record, while several DJs smashed the disc on the air.
Questions were asked in the House of Commons and East 17 was dropped from a children's television programme.
In an attempt to stem the public furore, a very humble Mr Harvey was forced to admit he was "stupid to spout off" and that his comments were "completely out of order". He also issued an apology to his fans, warning that the drug could indeed kill.
East 17's latest record Hey Child is number three in the British charts.
During the interview, Harvey vividly described how he had popped 12 ecstasy pills one night because it "increases the love" between people - and then drove home "no problem".
"If it brings out the better in someone, and really in the long run it's a safe pill and it ain't doing you no harm. I don't see the problem. I am not saying that you should take drugs for people to like you, that's not where I am coming from."
"But if it makes you feel better and gives you something to do at, the weekend and you go out and have a good time, I don't see why not, man, because life's too short, you know what I mean," he said.
Joe Humphreys adds
Two local radio stations have banned the pop group from the airwaves following Harvey's comments that it is safe to take ecstasy.
Shannonside, which broadcasts to Roscommon, Longford and South Leitrim, and Northern Sound, covering the Cavan/Monaghan area, have joined more than 10 British radio stations in barring all records by the band.