BBC Radio 1 listeners were left in stitches on Friday morning after pop star Charli XCX accidentally swore live on air during the Breakfast show with Greg James. The 33-year-old singer, born Charlotte Emma Aitchison, was taking part in a game called Wrong-Uns when the slip-up occurred.
How the blunder happened
Greg James invited Charli to pay him a compliment as part of the game. After a moment's thought, she said: "You... are lovely." Greg immediately replied: "That's the wrong answer," prompting Charli to exclaim: "Oh s***! F***!" Greg quickly tried to mitigate the situation, saying: "And that's a swear word, but in Wrong-Uns' world, a swear word isn't a swear word."
Charli, clearly mortified, apologised profusely: "I'm so sorry, I apologise." Greg joked: "I should say one just to prove that," before clarifying: "We are sorry. We are sorry if you are deeply offended - but if you are deeply offended, you are probably listening to the wrong radio station."
Reaction on social media
A clip of the exchange was posted on X, where it quickly garnered reactions. One user wrote: "Very Wink Wink coded for Charli XCX to swear live on Radio 1 Breakfast at 9am on a Friday - absolutely howling." Another commented: "Greg was seeing his career flash before his eyes!" A third added: "Charli XCX breaking the cardinal rule of Radio 1 by swearing live on air!"
Charli continued to apologise, saying: "It's the one thing you said don't do - and I did it." Greg reassured her: "Honestly, it's okay. It's completely fine, honestly. It's just grown-ups swearing. I'm just pleased I didn't get to ask the next question, which was, 'What does BBC stand for?' It's best to move that one along I think! Charli XCX, you are a delight and I am so excited for the new album. Congratulations on all of it."
BBC response
The BBC issued a brief statement: "All guests are briefed before appearing live on Radio 1, and both Charli and Greg swiftly apologised on air." Charli XCX's highly anticipated seventh studio album, Music, Fashion, Film, is set for release on July 24.
