Eminem 'crossed a line', says Courteeners singer

Eminem's chart rivals The Courteeners believe the rapper "crossed a line" by referencing the Manchester bomb attack in the lyrics to his new track.

Marshall Mathers was criticised by many last week, including Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, for the "unnecessarily hurtful" verse on Unaccommodating.

The Manchester band were leading the Detroit rapper in the official midweek album charts released on Monday.

Singer Liam Fray says he "feels sorry" for him for employing "shock" tactics, according to BBC News.

"It all just felt like an old comedian who can't get on the telly anymore just saying something outrageous," says Fray, who accepts his band will more than likely lose out to Eminem when things such as streaming are considered come Friday.

"I just felt a bit sorry for him. I just felt like he's jumping the shark a bit."

He added: "He's trying to be as outrageous as possible because he's running out of ideas, that's what it is.

"It's nothing else [but] shock value. You have to shock to be good - that's nonsense."