Strictly Come Dancing will not be investigated over pre-watershed swearing

Ofcom have said "bollocks" can be used before the watershed in some circumstances

(BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing will escape an inquiry from Ofcom after one of its judges swore live on air before the watershed.

Bruno Tonioli, a judge on the show, described The Wanted’s Jay McGuinnes and his partner Aliona Vilani’s dance as “the bull’s b*****ks”.

The regulator said it is not acceptable to swear on TV before the watershed, but rates the word "b*****ks" as a "higher acceptable" word in its own research.

The comment was made last month, at 6.35pm, well before the 9pm watershed.

Ofcom received 19 complaints, which were categorised as “offensive language” in issue 292 of their own broadcast bulletin.

According to research Ofcom produced in 2010, the word "b*****ks" was more acceptable to viewers pre-watershed than other more offensive swear words, and only second behind the most acceptable swear words such as arse and bum.

Ofcom said: “Our research shows that in general audiences would tolerate this language before the watershed”.

Along with “bollocks”, Ofcom categorised "bloody", "bugger", "crap", "Goddamn" and "pissed" as “higher acceptability” words that can be said on television before the watershed.

A spokesperson from Ofcom said: “In deciding not to pursue complaints about Strictly Come Dancing we took in account the live, accidental nature of the incident and clear recognition by the other judges and presenter that this was unacceptable.

“We also recognise the swift and sincere apology by the presenter.”

Judge Darcey Bussell put her head in her hands after the comment was made and presenter Tess Daily formally apologised for Tonioli’s language.

The show’s official Twitter page, run by the BBC, apologised after the show too.

The swear word was bleeped out on BBC iPlayer’s episode of the show.