ITV off the hook over Rivers' f-word

Just 21 viewers complain

Broadcasting watchdogs received just 21 complaints after Joan Rivers swore on ITV1’s daytime talk show Loose Women.

Ofcom has today revealed that it decided not to censure the broadcaster because host Jackie Brambles immediately apologised for the language.

Rivers was thrown off the set because of her outburst, which came when talking about Russell Crowe. The 75-year-old comedian said: ‘He is a piece of – get ready to bleep this – fucking shit.’

However the show is broadcast live, without any opportunity for bad language to be censored.

A further apology was issued during the June 17 show, and again over the closing credits.

The complainants were concerned about the broadcast of strong language at this time of the day, and some said their children had been present at the time – even though the programme was aired in term time.

In their defence, ITV said: ‘Several steps had been taken in advance of filming to ensure that the guest was fully briefed about the nature of the live daytime broadcast and the clear need for avoiding strong language during the interview. Following Joan Rivers’ swearing there were several apologies broadcast to viewers.’

Making its ruling, the broadcast regulator said: ‘Ofcom considers that ITV acted responsibly on this occasion and broadcast several apologies. Given that this was an isolated occurrence, which the broadcaster acted swiftly to recognise and remedy, Ofcom considers the matter resolved.’

Here is the offending clip: