BBC sorry for live radio Rage

Rage Against the Machine swore repeatedly at 9am...

13:49 17 December 2009

The BBC has apologised after Radio 5 live broadcast Rage Against the Machine swearing in a live performance of their song 'Killing In The Name'.

The band's signature 1992 tune, which is in the running for the Christmas No 1 slot following a successful Facebook campaign against the X Factor's usual festive reign, ends with the refrain "F*** you I won't do what you tell me" repeated numerous times.  

Zack de la Rocha, the US band's singer, was heard swearing four times on the station's breakfast show before being cut off by the radio show's producers.

The song has found renewed fame and controversy after being put forth to battle X Factor winner Joe Elderberry's cover of 'The Climb'.

After the live incident BBC spokesman said: "We had spoken to the band repeatedly beforehand and they had agreed not to swear."

He added: "When they did, we faded the band out and apologised immediately to anyone who was offended."

The band were interviewed in a live link-up with the US before performing the song. The song was quickly faded out after presenter Shelagh Fogarty desperately said "get rid of it".

She added: "Sorry. We needed to get rid of that because that suddenly turned in to something we were not expecting.

"Well, we were expecting it and asked them not to do it and they did it anyway - so buy Joe's record."

Rage Against the Machine has been tipped as the favourite to top the UK charts this Christmas.