MPs blast the BBC and foul language

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said at times a line "has clearly been crossed".

His comments came as the BBC was rapped over a radio feature in which words were bleeped out to make them sound as if they had been offensive.

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom criticised Radio 1's Scott Mills show, which airs at a time when children are listening.

During the feature the sounds of the beginning and end of the words remained audible, giving the false impression that the bleep was masking a swear word.

Ofcom criticised the corporation for believing it was "perfectly acceptable" to offend some of its audience.

The broadcasting watchdog also criticised BBC1 sitcom After You've Gone for a scene in which Jimmy, a character played by Nicholas Lyndhurst, took an overdose of painkillers.

The usually uptight father of two was seen waking up in a mellow and relaxed mood, in a scene broadcast in the early evening when children were watching.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Burnham said the level of swearing on television made people uncomfortable.

He was responding to Labour former minister Denis MacShane who singled out celebrity chef Jamie Oliver for his liberal use of the F-word.