The ever-outspoken John Lydon has voiced his support for Brexit, saying that “the working class have spoken”, and saying that he would like to shake the hand of the “fantastic” Nigel Farage.

The former Sex Pistols singer and current Public Image Ltd. frontman, known as Johnny Rotten at the height of punk in the ‘70s, appeared on ITV’s ‘Good Morning Britain’ on Monday (March 27th) to promote his new book, the illustrated ‘Mr. Rotten’s Songbook’.

Always the source of decent copy, the topic of conversation turned to the EU referendum last summer. Perhaps surprisingly, given his general left-wing leanings, he said that he backed Brexit.

John LydonJohn Lydon said the "working class have spoken" over Brexit

“Where do I stand on Brexit? Well, here it goes, the working class have spoke and I’m one of them and I’m with them,” he said.

“After that up the River Thames argument he had with Bob Geldof I wanted to shake his hand because it was silly beyond belief,” Lydon continued. Rather oddly, given that the Pistols did exactly the same kind of stunt during the Queen’s silver jubilee in 1977 to protest against establishment voices.

More: Sir David Attenborough says the EU referendum should never have happened

Later, the singer spoke out in defence of the American president Donald Trump, calling him a “complicated fellow” and that those who were opposing him so vociferously have “smeared” him as a racist.

“One journalist once said to me, is he the political Sex Pistol? In a way. What I dislike is the left-wing media in America are trying to smear the bloke as a racist and that’s completely not true. There are many, many problems with him as a human being but he’s not that and there just might be a chance something good will come out of that situation because he terrifies politicians. This is a joy to behold for me.”

When host Piers Morgan described Trump as an “archetypal anti-establishment figure”, Lydon agreed and added: “Dare I say, a possible friend.”

More: Graffiti-filled home formerly inhabited by John Lydon given Grade 2 listed status [archive]