Celebrity bosses call time on foul language
ITV bosses have imposed a time delay on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Following John Lydon’s foul-mouthed outburst on the show.
The programme will no longer be totally live – instead the broadcast will be delayed by a few seconds so that any bad language can be bleeped out.
The former Sex Pistols star is “extremely sorry” for swearing on last night’s programme, a spokeswoman said.
He spat “oh f***ing c***s” on live TV after learning he had not been evicted from the show, prompting dozens of complaints from viewers.
Bosses hope to have the delay technology up and running in time for tonight’s show.
An ITV spokeswoman said: “This is the third successful series of I’m A Celebrity running live on ITV1, and the first time a celebrity has had such an outburst.
“Dec immediately apologised to viewers, and repeated the apology before the end of the show.
“John Lydon himself is extremely sorry and expresses his regret at having used such language.
“Briefings of the programme participants have been reinforced – they are even more acutely aware that they’re appearing live in a popular entertainment programme and must act accordingly.
“But we’ve no wish to offend viewers or mar their enjoyment. We’re therefore building a very short time delay into transmission to enable us to bleep unacceptable language.”
So far, 70 people have complained to ITV and 18 to media watchdog Ofcom.
Meanwhile, the Sex Pistols’ album Never Mind The B******s is heading back into the charts thanks to Lydon’s new-found celebrity.
Sales have risen seven-fold since the reality show began last week.
It is currently in the Top 75 and could make the Top 40 by Sunday if the strong sales continue, according to music retailer HMV.
The album was a number one hit on its release in November 1977. It was last in the charts in October 2000.
Just two weeks ago, Never Mind The B******s managed to sell only 100 copies in HMV stores across the country.
But Lydon’s antics in the jungle have sparked a Sex Pistols revival.
Sadly, the same is not true for his fellow celebrity Peter Andre.
The Very Best Of Peter Andre is on target to sell just 20 copies in HMV this week.
