Sir Elton John
ignited a flurry of complaints from TV viewers after
swearing on an afternoon talk show that was broadcast
live. During a visit to Channel 4's
The New Paul
O'Grady Show
to publicize the one-year
anniversary of the stage musical
Billy Elliot,
one of
the hit show's young stars asked the pop star what his
middle name is. John said it is Hercules, adding that
his real name, Reginald Kenneth Dwight, made him sound like
"a banker, or a wanker, one of the two."
O'Grady ended the
show by saying, "Sorry if it has been a bit raucous,
ladies and gentlemen," but the network still received about
20 complaints. Nonetheless, a Channel 4 spokesman said, "It
is a live show, and Elton is a guest, but Paul dealt
with it there and then and apologized. I don't think
it is the strongest language, and we feel that Paul
dealt with it appropriately." (
The Advocate
)
