Sting is forced to endure excruciating Ben Fordham interview during which the 2GB host sings his own off-key version of 1978 hit Roxanne
The Police's 1978 hit Roxanne is still considered one of the greatest songs of all time.
But the band's lead singer and writer of the rock classic, Sting, was forced to endure a painful butchering of his song at the hands of 2GB host Ben Fordham on Thursday.
'That's a useful message, so thank you,' the 70-year-old singer responded after being played the off-key tune, in which Fordham replaced the word 'Roxanne' with 'vaccine'.
![Crimes against music: Sting was forced to endure a painful butchering of his song Roxanne at the hands of 2GB host Ben Fordham (pictured) on Thursday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/09/01/51525021-10290599-Crimes_against_music_Sting_was_forced_to_endure_a_painful_butche-a-17_1639014512726.jpg)
Crimes against music: Sting was forced to endure a painful butchering of his song Roxanne at the hands of 2GB host Ben Fordham (pictured) on Thursday
Even Fordham himself admitted 'this is embarrassing' before playing the song to the 17-time Grammy winning artist.
Explaining himself to the singer, born Gordon Sumner, Ben said, 'When we were trying to encourage people in Australia to go and get the jab, to get vaccinated, we thought on our radio show; "Maybe we need to come up with a song that would encourage people?" And we thought, "Well everyone knows Roxanne. What if you change the word Roxanne to vaccine?"'
He then played the cringe-inducing cover to Sting, before asking him to score it out of ten.
'I'll give you a wh... A whole ten,' he stammered, before adding 'I'm always happy when the song has a utility beyond just amusement.'
![Faint praise indeed: 'That's a useful message, so thank you,' the 70-year-old singer (pictured in 2016) responded after being played the off-key tune](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/09/01/51525019-10290599-Faint_praise_indeed_That_s_a_useful_message_so_thank_you_the_70_-a-18_1639014512734.jpg)
Faint praise indeed: 'That's a useful message, so thank you,' the 70-year-old singer (pictured in 2016) responded after being played the off-key tune
The former Australian Ninja Warrior host then attempted to salvage the interview with a joke about royalties.
'Did you receive the royalties because when we ripped off that song, we did send you a big check. I presume it arrived?' said Ben.
'I presume it's in the post 'cause I’m waiting.' replied Sting.
![Iconic: The Police's 1978 hit Roxanne, written and sung by Sting, is still considered one of the greatest songs of all time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/09/01/51525023-10290599-Iconic_The_Police_s_1978_hit_Roxanne_written_and_sung_by_Sting_i-a-19_1639014512741.jpg)
Iconic: The Police's 1978 hit Roxanne, written and sung by Sting, is still considered one of the greatest songs of all time
The interview comes after news that Australian Ninja Warrior will look very different next year, following the departures of hosts Fordham and Rebecca Maddern.
The task of replacing them is said to be a 'two-horse race' between Channel Nine stars Karl Stefanovic and Richard Wilkins.
Both presenters have thrown their hat into the ring to replace Fordham as male host and recognise what a great opportunity it is, reports New Idea.
![Karl vs Dickie: The task of replacing departing Australian Ninja Warrior hosts Ben Fordham and Rebecca Maddern is said to be a 'two-horse race' between Today anchor Karl Stefanovic and Weekend Today presenter Richard Wilkins (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/06/03/51383425-10278805-image-a-37_1638759882376.jpg)
![Competition: Both presenters have thrown their hat into the ring to replace Fordham and recognise what a great opportunity it is, reports New Idea. Pictured: Karl Stefanovic](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/06/03/51383435-10278805-image-m-40_1638759892309.jpg)
Karl vs Dickie: The task of replacing departing Australian Ninja Warrior hosts Fordham and Rebecca Maddern is said to be a 'two-horse race' between Today anchor Karl Stefanovic (right) and Weekend Today presenter Richard Wilkins (left)
Wilkins, 67, and Stefanovic, 47, are said to be equally keen to front the prime-time show because it delivers consistently strong ratings.
'When Ninja first kicked off, no one wanted to host it! Now it's become one of the big-ticket items for Nine and everyone is throwing their hat into the ring – enter Karl and Dickie,' a source said.
Today anchor Stefanovic hopes to get the job to 'pad out his deal' with Nine and 'prove he's worth' his rumoured $1.8million salary.
![Something to prove: Stefanovic (left, with Today co-host Allison Langdon) hopes to get the job to 'pad out his deal' with Nine and 'prove he's worth' his rumoured $1.8million salary](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/06/03/51383611-10278805-image-a-42_1638760198265.jpg)
Something to prove: Stefanovic (left, with Today co-host Allison Langdon) hopes to get the job to 'pad out his deal' with Nine and 'prove he's worth' his rumoured $1.8million salary
![Personal ties: Wilkins, on the other hand, 'can't be ruled out' because of his friendship with Ninja Warrior's sideline commentator Shane Crawford](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/06/03/42928674-10278805-Red_carpet_regular_Karl_Stefanovic_has_spilled_some_tea_on_his_T-a-41_1638760118630.jpg)
Personal ties: Wilkins, on the other hand, 'can't be ruled out' because of his friendship with Ninja Warrior's sideline commentator Shane Crawford
Weekend Today host Wilkins, on the other hand, 'can't be ruled out' because of his friendship with Ninja Warrior's sideline commentator Shane Crawford.
There's no word yet on which female hosts are being considered to take over Maddern's role.
The rumours come after two out of three Ninja Warrior stars quit the show recently.
![Replacements wanted! Australian Ninja Warrior will look very different next year, following the departures of hosts Ben Fordham (right) and Rebecca Maddern (left)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/06/03/51383763-10278805-image-a-43_1638760417156.jpg)
Replacements wanted! Australian Ninja Warrior will look very different next year, following the departures of hosts Ben Fordham (right) and Rebecca Maddern (left)
Fordham, 45, stepped down in October to focus on his 2GB breakfast program, but remains part of the Nine family.
Maddern, 44, quit the network altogether last month after contract negotiations stalled. She is understood to be returning to Channel Seven next year.
Former Hawthorne great Crawford, who replaced British cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff as sideline commentator, is staying on the show.
![Moving on: Maddern, 44, quit the network last month after contract negotiations stalled. She is understood to be returning to Channel Seven next year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/06/03/51383785-10278805-image-a-44_1638760474209.jpg)
Moving on: Maddern, 44, quit the network last month after contract negotiations stalled. She is understood to be returning to Channel Seven next year
![Not going anywhere: Former Hawthorne great Shane Crawford (right), who replaced British cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff as sideline commentator, is staying on the show](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/06/03/51384095-10278805-image-a-71_1638761542473.jpg)
Not going anywhere: Former Hawthorne great Shane Crawford (right), who replaced British cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff as sideline commentator, is staying on the show
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