Dire Straits hit song ‘Money For Nothing’ has been censored in Canada - over 25 years after it was released.

The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council said it was too offensive for Canadian broadcasts because it includes the word “f*ggot” three times.

The body launched an investigation after a listener complained that an unedited version of the song had been played on St. John's radio station CHOZ-FM last February.

The complaint said the song, written by Mark Knopfler and Sting, was “extremely offensive” to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

In its ruling, the council said that ‘Money For Nothing’ would only be acceptable for broadcast if it had been edited, reports the Winnipeg Free Press.

The track was the first single to be taken from Dire Straits 1985 album ‘Brothers In Arms’ and earned the group a Grammy Award.

(by Jason Gregory)