Graham's show rapped over c-word

Graham Norton's show has been criticised for broadcasting a gag containing the c-word.

The joke was told by Hollywood legend Dustin Hoffman after Norton asked him to tell his favourite gag.

Channel 4 argued that there was "a strong editorial imperative" for including the line on V Graham Norton because "most viewers would have wanted to hear Dustin Hoffman's favourite joke".

But watchdogs on the Broadcasting Standards Commission ruled that the word had "potential for serious offence to viewers" and "crossed acceptable boundaries".

It's not the first time a risque gag has landed Norton in trouble - earlier this year Bee Gee Robin Gibb branded him 'scum' for cracking a joke about brother Maurice the day after his death.

Published: 26 Jun 2003