31 complain over U2's 'wankers'

Thirty-one viewers complained to the broadcasting regulator about the insult, made by Adam Clayton to his U2 bandmates when the group made a cameo appearance on the show.

The word – which is generally not known to Americans - was again aired in the closing credits, when Montgomery Burns mimicked the earlier exchange.

Viewer complained the language was unacceptable for a show which goes out at 6pm and is viewed by many children.

Channel 4 apologised for the offensive language and acknowledged that it was unsuitable for broadcast at that time.

The broadcaster blamed a member of staff who mistakenly labeled the programme as suitable for early evening and promised to review its procedures, even though this is the first time in ten years that such a lapse had occurred.

Watchdogs at Ofcom, however, decided not to reprimand Channel 4 over the complaints , even though it said the language was offensive in context.

They ruled ‘This failure seems an isolated incident, and Channel 4 is reviewing its compliance procedures. [We have] therefore decided to treat the matter as resolved on this occasion.’

Here’s the offending clip:

Published: 9 Jun 2008