State broadcaster RAI said Tuesday that it has given veteran pop star Gianni Morandi a reprieve after he accidentally posted part of a song he is presenting at the 2022 Sanremo Music Festival/Contest on social media.
He risked being kicked out as a fragment of the song Apri Tutte le Porte (Open All the Doors) could be heard in the background of a post in which he talks about the piece with the producer Mousse T.
The song was written specially for the 77-year-old national treasure by another of Italian music's big names, Jovanotti.
The post was quickly removed.
RAI said the fact that Morandi is having to wear a brace after injuring his hand several months ago was a factor in him accidentally posting the video.
"This time I really messed up," said the much-loved singer, whose career stretches back to the early 1960s.
"I accidentally posted a video with fragments of the song I have to sing at Sanremo on Facebook.
"I insist on doing (my social media accounts) on my own but I am a real klutz! "As soon as I realised, I deleted it but some people had already seen it.
"I apologise to RAI, to the artistic management of the festival, to my record company, to the musicians, to Mousse T, to Jovanotti and everyone who is working on this project".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA