what naughty word

I suspect the vast majority of the millions of viewers were completely unaware of anything having been said until Zoe apologised - presumably she would have been told to do so by the production people as not something she would be likely to do without that. Many would then rewind their recording to see what was said but most would not bother. Of course the tabloids then saw it as an opportunity to attack the BBC so made a fuss about it, Unfortunately if she had not apologised then someone would have noticed somewhere and the media would still made a fuss but be able to say that the BBC had not apologised.

Len is a bit too keen on making crude remarks, it would be a shame if a delay has to be put on the programme because of him (and perhaps because of Bruno).

How can they edit a live show (that, as far as I am aware, does not have a time delay anyway)?

I don't know but when he was talking it appeared as though the end of his sentence had been muffled so that one could not hear what had been said. Either it had been edited or he muffled his words in order to avoid using the F-word.

Firstly, I listened to what Len mumbled three or four times (had the show recorded) and it sounded more like "Fudge" than anything else - I was as surprised as the next person when Zoe apologised for him.

Secondly, the main show's live. As far as I'm aware, there's no time delay or editing - I think there's enough proof in the pudding from past shows to back that up - so there's no way a bleeper could be used, there is no 'bleeper man'. Bleeps are put in over the soundtrack in the edit suite once a show is shot or, if there's a time delay, those however many seconds are used to add the bleeps.

Finally, are you known for overreacting? 'Hurts your ears', really? You'd have to listen very hard to be offended.

According to my BIL they can cut his mike for a second or two. I imagine that would need whoever is in charge to be very quick to react though. Maybe that is why some people are saying he only mouthed the word?

I think all "live" TV sport is broadcast with a delay of 4 or 5 seconds, to allow the plug to be pulled if there is an obviously serious incident. I would guess SCD is the same, as TPTB wouldn't want to broadcast someone being dropped on their head and seriously injured live with kids watching.

Few things are too trivial for Terry not to overreact or go on a wind up over.

But you've got to admire such hearing - ears bring hurt by something few folk heard or if heard couldn't make out.

I think that they should've kept quiet because no one noticed it anyways; well at least not a lot of people. By apologizing on the show, they made matters worse imo.

Agreed. I didn't hear it and neither did anyone I know. They should have left it and waited to see if anyone complained, then issue an apology. By going on about it is making matters worse.

I suspect poor Zoe was told in her earpiece to make an apology and it may be that she didn't hear it either.

So it's only a guess then - and should this not apply to ALL live programming, including news broadcasts? I do recall that certain events that could have bad language (such as live pop/rock concerts) are delayed, but I don't think that this is commonplace.

To be honest, I am not convinced that live sport is delayed anyway.

Strange that you can tie in radio comentary with TV football coverage !

OK, they are not always exactly in synch ( for I presume technical reasons ), but enough that one can enjoy it that way.

Now why would radio have a time delay, and almost exactly the same one as a different compant's TV coverage ??

Me thinks the TV coverage doesn't have a time delay.

I never heard it, even when I was listening out for it, so agree with you on this one, would never have known if it had not been highlighted.

If there is no bleeper or time delay, I think someone actually probably made a wrong call.

I am guessing that they thought that Len had trangressed worse and / or clearer than he actually did and got Zoe to apologise, which probably seemed at that instant the best option.

BBC kind of damned if they do or damned if they don't.

And the whole thing has been made too much of !!

Being as no-one actually heard it, only a snippet (& I didn't even hear that though I was listening to him), a formal apology is hardly necessary. He probably did say, "Sorry about that", which is quite sufficient.

Bottoms!

They can't win, even if they did not apologise there would be someone who heard it, or perhaps more likely, thought they heard it. Would not be first time that someone has had to apologise for something that they never actually said - just look at the trouble Jeremy Clarkson got into over something that he did not say.

Oh for fudge's sake get over it!!

I honestly heard no swearing, it sounded like Len just mumbled his approval. I certainly didn't hear no F-word.

If he did swear, as Terry says, it is before watershed so he should apologise, but I thought he said fudge and not the other word.

I didn't hear a swear word, and it seems neither did the majority of viewers, so they should have just shut up and no one would be any the wiser. I did hear him shout, "Winner, winner, chicken dinner"

They didn't use the beeper as it was live, but I couldn't hear Len swear.

Not a guess. It's what I read a few years ago. I'm not bothered either way. I have my doubts that that BBC don't have plans in place to avoid broadcasting a male celeb dropping his partner on her head and breaking her neck on live TV though.

I'm sure he's never encountered profanity away from the TV

I've been to a Test match, and had the radio commentary on - and it lags behind the actual stuff going on on the field by about five seconds. Not enough to be terribly noticeable unless there's a wicket, say, when you can tell.