Former Westlife singer Brian McFadden has been forced to defend himself against angry claims that he is promoting date rape in his new single.

The Dubliner is at the centre of a new storm just days after he was cautioned for his "drunken" behavior on a flight from Los Angeles to Sydney.

Now based in Australia and engaged to Aussie superstar singer Delta Goodman, McFadden yesterday denied the lyrics to ‘Just The Way You Are (Drunk at the Bar)’ were in reference to date rape.

“I am shocked at these ridiculous accusations about my new song that have
been written,” McFadden told the Sunday Independent.

“For the record, I wrote the song about how I love it when Delta has a drink (which is very rare) and she’s dancing.”

The 30-year-old later added on Twitter: “My new song is a tongue-in-cheek song about how I find it cute when a girl gets drunk.

“I am not promoting date-rape. What’s the next thing I’m going to be labeled as from things I say?

“And yes it is dumb lyrics and a dumb beat - that’s the point! When did I ever claim to be John Lennon.”

Angry Australians have complained bitterly about the lyrics of the McFadden single which include the lines: 'I like you just the way you are, drunk in the back seat of my car’ and ‘drunk as s*** dancing at the bar’.

McFadden also sings: ‘Can’t wait to take you home so I can take advantage and do some damage.'

Still trying to scale the heights as a solo singer that he enjoyed with Westlife, McFadden hit the headlines earlier this week when he was questioned by Australian police over his behavior on a Virgin flight from Los Angeles to Sydney when he attempted to light a cigarette in mid-flight.

In another message posted on Twitter, McFadden wrote: “Wasn’t arrested! Didn’t smoke on the flight. And the Virgin staff were very nice. I did have a few drinks but I was not smashed and abusive.

“If reports were true then I would have been arrested, fined and wosrt! (sic) banned from my favorite airline V Australia. Storm in a teacup.”