ITV host Ed Chamberlin was left red faced and forced to apologise when a horse racing pundit swore live on air.

The 50-year-old host was left in a flap when 81-year-old racing journalist and broadcaster Brough Scott slipped up as the ITV cameras rolled. The pair were joined by two other commentators as the group reviewed all the highs, lows and dramatic moments of the races at Newmarket on Saturday.

But Brough caused eyebrows to rise higher than the jumps horses were leaping over as he mixed up his words and ended up unleashing a swear word. The legendary broadcaster seemed well aware of his on-air slip up as he asked for his bad word to be ‘pardoned’ – but host Ed was left in more of a flap.

The main ITV host was forced to address viewers to beg for forgiveness and to issue a formal apology. Ed also offered Brough a lifeline by suggesting to his viewers that the elderly man would also be mortified and wanting to extend his most sincere apology over the foul mouthed error.

Ed Chamberlin was left flustered when a guest on ITV’s racing coverage unleashed a swearword ( 

Image:

ITV)

The mishap occurred while the pair reviewed one of the races. Brough observed: “Just talking to Jeff Smith… he said this is as strong as he remembers. It’s a really, really fascinating race this.” He then said: “I’ve known him for a long time, he’s not a bulls***ter, pardon my French.”

A startled Ed then attempted to pour water on the flames of controversy, stating: “As you used to have to do, I apologise for my colleague’s language a moment ago. He is very sorry as well I’m sure.”

But it was already too late – as some viewers noticed the slip up and took to X to discuss the controversial moment. One fan wrote: “Did Brough Scott just say ‘bulls***ter’?” And another honed in on Ed’s reaction, typing: “Ed Chamberlain s*** himself cause he didn’t want to pull up a racing legend such as Brough Scott.”

Some racing fans feel that on-air swearing has become surprisingly commonplace on the ITV highlights show – but suggested that the need to apologise for a reasonable mild bad word was unnecessary. One observed: “How many times do @itvracing have to apologise to the ‘offended viewers’ for the term ‘bulls***’ ? Nil my suggestion. @broughscott a breath of fresh air, untainted by bulls***.”

And another wrote: “Do we really have to apologise twice on @itvracing because Brough Scott said someone wasn’t a bulls***ter?” Events at the Newmarket Horse Racing are set to run into the summer months. Upcoming events include the 1000 and 2000 Guineas in May, the July Cup and Falmouth Stakes at the July meeting – while there are also music events including a gig by JLS in June and Busted in July.