Jon Bon Jovi makes bizarre claims that U2 frontman Bono’s childhood ‘was marred by threats of violence from Orangemen walking through his neighbourhood saying get the Catholic kid and beat him up’

The New Jersey-born singer made the sensational claims during an appearance on the Armchair Expert podcast.

During the interview Jon Bon Jovi discusses how his upbringing influenced his songwriting - and contrasts his early years with those of the U2 frontman.

“Bono is probably right at my age, he’s a couple of months older I think. His upbringing was obviously very different than mine,” Bon Jovi said.

“I never had the Orangemen walking through my neighbourhood saying, you know, get the Catholic kid and beat him up.

“You know I didn’t have any of that kind of turmoil in suburban New Jersey when you had a wonderful middle-class upbringing with two hard working parents. So, of course, you’re writing the happy anthemic song.”

However his claims have been met with derision by fans.

One response on Twitter says: “I’d say the nearest Bono ever came to an Orangeman was when he met Take That at the BRIT Awards”.

Another joked: “I can only assume Bono grew up in Willy Wonka’s Factory and the Oompa Loompas really hated his guts because he certainly didn’t live anywhere near the sash & bowler hat Brigade.”

A story on the Irish Post site - published today - adds that Bon Jovi’s claims appear to be at odds with Bono’s upbringing given he grew up in north Dublin.

Whilst Bono has spoken about the Troubles in the past and played a role in helping formulate peace in Northern Ireland, he has never suggested he was a victim of such attacks.

Bono has yet to respond to the claims made by Bon Jovi.

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