Joan's outburst on live TV

Joan Rivers was taken off ITV’s daytime show Loose Women yesterday after swearing live on air.

The 75-year-old comic warned producers: ‘Get ready to bleep this’ before describing Russell Crowe as ‘a piece of fucking shit’.

However, the show airs live – and there is no way of censoring guests.

Rivers’ comments shocked the on-air team of Jakki Brambles, Coleen Nolan, Jane McDonald and Carol McGiffin – and the studio audience.

Brambles immediately apologised for the language, and the show quickly cut to an ad break.

Rivers, who is playing the Edinburgh Fringe this year ahead of a West End run, did not return to the screen for the last part of the show,

In a statement, ITV said: ‘We would like to apologise to Loose Women viewers for the inappropriate language used by Joan Rivers on today's show.

‘Presenter Jackie Brambles immediately apologised to viewers and reiterated this apology later in the show. An editorial decision was taken that Joan Rivers should not appear in the final part of the programme.

‘Loose Women guests are always briefed that it is a live daytime show and as such are reminded not to swear or use inappropriate language.’

In 2005, Rivers became embroiled in a vicious row on Radio 4 - believing that writer Darcus Howe had branded her a racist.

Here is what happened on Loose Women:

Published: 17 Jun 2008