BBC rapped over Jack's swearing

The BBC has apologised for broadcasing a clip of Jack Dee swearing on Radio 2.

Broadcast watchdogs Ofcom have reprimanded the corporation chiefs for allowing strong language to go out on a Saturday lunchtime, when children could have been listening.

It came during an episode of the comedy show The Green Guide To Life, broadcast in April and hosted by fellow stand-up Jeff Green.

During one sketch, Dee was heard to say, ‘What do you mean, fuck off?’ prompting two complaints to Ofcom.

The BBC admitted that the language was ‘completely inappropriate for broadcast at this time’ and apologised ‘unreservedly’.

The programme was made by Open Mic, the independent production company linked to comedy agents Off The Kerb, which represents both Dee and Green.

It had originally been commissioned to be broadcast at 10.30pm, and was supplied to the BBC without any note about the content. It was therefore not vetted, and then went out in the rescheduled daytime slot without checks.

The BBC has promised to tighten up its procedures after admitting it broke the broadcasting code of conduct

It a ruling published today, Ofcom said: ‘This error exposed a weakness in the broadcaster’s compliance procedures. Further, this is not the first occasion on which inappropriate language has been transmitted on Radio 2.’

Published: 16 Jul 2007