The BBC apologised today for outbursts of swearing by stars at the weekend's Live 8 concerts after it received hundreds of complaints.
The BBC, which carried live footage with no time delay, said about 350 people had complained about performers using bad language before the 9 p.m. watershed when British TV companies are committed to airing shows suitable for a family audience.
A number of artists at London's Hyde Park could be clearly heard swearing on the BBC's coverage in the early evening.
During her act, Madonna yelled: "Are you fucking ready London?" while US rapper Snoop Dogg chanted "Mother fucker" repeatedly during his 15-minute set.
The BBC said it had warned stars about their behaviour. "We broadcast the Live 8 concerts on the understanding that all artists knew they were performing live and would bear that in mind," the broadcaster said.
"Many millions of people enjoyed over 12 hours of live broadcasting but we are of course very sorry for any offence caused."
The number of complaints is dwarfed by a record 63,000 viewers who objected in January to the BBC showing the profanity-laden musical Jerry Springer - The Opera, which went out late at night.