General view of the UK front pages, the day after Baroness Thatcher died at the age of 87 following a stroke.

Baroness Thatcher’s tempestuous relationship with the BBC looks set to continue after her death as the corporation found itself in the middle of a row over whether to play the Wizard Of Oz track which celebrates her demise.

An online campaign has driven sales of Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead and the latest placings released by the Official Charts Company show it had sold 20,000 copies and was at number four on Wednesday night.

The late former Prime Minister divided opinion and while many have mourned, some have seen her death as a cause for celebration, prompting a download surge for the song.

John Whittingdale, the chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee, said the song should not be played.

He told the Daily Mail: “This is an attempt to manipulate the charts by people trying to make a political point.

“Most people find that offensive and deeply insensitive, and for that reason it would be better if the BBC did not play it.”

But another Tory member of the select committee, Philip Davies, said the song should be played.

He described the campaign as “pathetic”, but added: “It’s not for the BBC to define on what basis something is in the the charts.”

The decision whether to play the song or not poses a problem for the new BBC boss, Tony Hall, who started work in the top job last week.

The BBC has in the past refused to play hit songs if they were regarded as offensive.

Songs previously banned by the station

:: Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Relax

The song’s suggestive lyrics caused a stir when it was released in 1984 and upset Radio 1 DJ Mike Read who declared it “obscene” – none of which stopped it reaching number one and selling millions of copies.

:: Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin – Je T’Aime... Moi Non Plus

The saucy French ode to free love holds a place in the history books as the first number one to be banned, with its amorous lyrics and breathy vocals proving too much for the BBC.

:: The Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen

This perfectly-timed punk classic caused all kinds of problems when it was released around the time of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.

It looked set to be number one as the nation prepared to party but was eventually held off the top spot by Rod Stewart – sparking stories that the sales figures had been massaged to prevent embarrassment.