Cryer decries swearing trend

Barry Cryer has bemoaned the amount of swearing in comedy.

The veteran writer said that "relentless" repetition of the F-word was boring.

Speaking at the Edinburgh Fringe, where he is performing Rock Of Ages with Ronnie Golden, 67-year-old Cryer said: "Words get tedious if you flog them at the audience.

He said well-place swearing could be effective, citing Billy Connolly as a master of the art.

Cryer told The Times: "One word planted immaculately can be very funny.

He added that the stresses of the circuit could be to blame, saying: "Maybe [new comics] are resorting to language because it's a jungle."

Published: 13 Aug 2002