Thom Yorke brands himself a 'hypocrite' for climate change campaigning while flying on tour

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has branded himself a “hypocrite” for campaigning against climate change while flying around the world on tour.

The 50-year-old made the comments while appearing on Desert Island Discs.

The rocker told the BBC Radio 4 programme: "The thing I've always struggled somewhat with, is if I'm campaigning on climate change, I'm someone who has to fly for my work so....

"I totally agree I'm a hypocrite but... what do you want to do about it?"

Read more: A third of Britons say climate change will lead to extinction of the human race

He added: "You can do stuff but the real stuff has to happen in Parliament and the UN, and has to happen now, we're out of time."

The singer and multi-instrumentalist has been a long-time campaigner for the environment. He is a supporter of Friends of the Earth and their Big Ask campaign, performing at their benefit concert in 2006. It was held in the hope it would persuade the Government to put in place new laws relating to climate change.

He has previously admitted music business is “a high energy-consuming industry”.

Yorke also opened up about the death of former partner and mother of his children Rachel Owen, who died from cancer aged 48 in 2016 - a year after the couple separated amicably.

He said: "It was very hard. She suffered a great deal and my ambition is to make sure that we have come out of it alright, and I hope that's what's happening."

Read more: Thom Yorke Says He Won’t Attend Rock Hall Induction

Speaking of his children with Owen, Noah and Agnes, Yorke added: "I'm just really proud of them both. It stuns me most days. I can't believe they're anything to do with me. They're just such great people."

Desert Island Discs is broadcast at 11.15am on Sundays on BBC Radio 4 - it is also available on BBC Sounds.