More popular than Jesus in all of us." Adamant that he was not comparing himself with Christ, he tried to explain the decline of Christianity in the UK. Pressed for an apology by a reporter, he said: "if you want me to apologise, if that will make you happy, then OK, I'm sorry." Journalists gave a sympathetic response, and told Lennon that the Bible Belt were "quite notorious for their Christian attitude". When the tour began, it was marred by protests and disturbances. Telephone threats were received, and concerts were picketed by the Ku Klux Klan. "Daily Express" writer Robert Pitman, responding to the
London Daily News "Evening News" at 5p. Maxwell was dismissive when he heard about the cut-price "Evening News". He told the BBC: "The "Evening Standard" and Lord Rothermere are so worried about their monopoly - which the "London Daily News" is finally breaking - and so scared about the huge demand for our paper, that they've brought out a cheapo "Evening News", which is really a joke." After the "London Daily News" collapsed, The "Evening Standard" 's publishers, Associated Newspapers, continued the "Evening News" for some months as a separate brand, aiming for a more downmarket readership than the "Evening Standard" before re-absorbing