BBC forced to apologise after Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman swears live on air

Len Goodman appeared to mutter the f-word live on TV. Credit: PA

The BBC has been forced to apologise after Strictly Come Dancing head judge Len Goodman swore live on air.

The head judge tonight appeared to mutter the f-word after expressing his delight at a performance by Blue star Simon Webbe and his partner Kristina Rihanoff.

Presenter Zoe Ball told viewers on the BBC One prime time show: "I also would like to apologise. Len got a little bit carried away with the excitement of the dance and I'm very sorry for the bad language."

Webbe, who raised his eyebrows when he heard the apology, received the joint highest judges' scores inside Blackpool's Tower Ballroom.

Simon Webbe raised his eyebrow at the remark. Credit: PA

He scored 38 points out of a possible 40 for an Argentine Tango, which was only matched by pop star Pixie Lott with her partner Trent Whiddon.

Judge Darcey Bussell, who gave Webbe a 10, told him: "The man is meant to be in charge of this dance and you certainly were. You were passionate and intense."

Fellow judge Bruno Tonioli described him as "the dark lord of Buenos Aires", adding: "That climax at the end really was spectacular."

Another contestant will be eliminated following a dance-off on tomorrow night's show.