Beatles fans blast Ono for store ad

Rex Features

Beatles fans are reportedly furious that a John Lennon song is to feature in an advertisement for US retail chain J.C. Penney.

Followers of the band have criticised Lennon's widow Yoko Ono for licensing the use of 'Real Love', saying she is exploiting the late singer's music.

Beatles Fan Club chairman Pete Nash said: "Obviously you can't ask Lennon himself if you can use his song, but if you could, I'm 100% sure his answer would be to tell J.C. Penney to f*** off."

He added: "I'm surprised Yoko has licensed the track for such commercial reasons, but she is the one who runs Lennon's estate, so the exploitation of his music is entirely up to her."

Lennon was shot dead outside his New York apartment in 1980 at the age of 40.