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Sharon Osbourne's foulmouthed Brits rant was 'acceptable', say Ofcom
Last updated at 11:31am on 02.04.08Sharon Osbourne's four letter outburst at the Brit awards was deemed 'acceptable', TV watchdogs Ofcom said.
The broadcasting regulator did not punish ITV1, despite 128 complaints about bad language and alcohol at the music awards ceremony because it said the show is known for swearing.
Host Sharon Osbourne verbally attacked comedian Vic Reeves, whom she accused of being drunk at the televised music awards bash.
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Sharon Osbourne's Brits foulmouthed outburst at comic Vic Reeves, seen here at The Brit Awards, in February drew 128 complaints, but was deemed 'acceptable' by TV broadcasting watchdog Ofcom
As Reeves, 49, apparently struggled to announce the award for Best British Album, Osbourne, 55, turned to him and said: "Get on with it, you p***head ... Shut up, you're p*****, p*** off. P*** off you b*****... p*** off!"
At another point in the night, Sheffield band the Arctic Monkeys launched what appeared to be an alcohol-fuelled attack on the Brits school and were cut off mid-speech.
But Ofcom said the comments were made after the watershed and in a programme which had a "particular reputation" and the swearing would be considered "quite mild".
It said the images where alcohol appeared would have been cautionary rather than glamorised.
It said: "While we understand that this language may have been offensive to some viewers, it was broadcast after the watershed and in a programme with a particular reputation.
"We believe that regular viewers would have been aware of the likelihood of this kind of material.
"Further, Ofcom research indicates that the examples of language quoted are generally considered quite mild."
Reeves appeared to be slurring his words as he presented an award. And at another point in the night, Sheffield band the Arctic Monkeys launched what appeared to be an alcohol-fuelled attack on the Brits school and were cut off mid-speech.
Some viewers complained about the "portrayal of the use of alcohol" at the ceremony.
But Ofcom said images of guests celebrating with alcohol were "justified".
"In Ofcom's view, the programme did not condone or glamorise misuse. The effect of these images was more likely to be cautionary than attractive."
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