Radio 1 to fine hosts who swear

Presenters who persistently swear risk being taken off the air, Radio 1 said yesterday.

They also face heavy fines under a new code of conduct introduced in the wake of the controversy surrounding Breakfast Show host Chris Moyles.

The DJ hit the headlines after he used the word 'gay' in a derogatory way. During one discussion, he described some women as 'dirty whores'.

Moyles's foul-mouth rants led to the media watchdog Ofcom launching an investigation.

Yesterday, it upheld complaints into three cases of bad language being used on his top-rated morning show.

Moyles has since promised Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt 'his use of language will be more carefully managed-The BBC has a sliding scale of offensive language.

The c- and f-words are deemed the most offensive, while moderately offensive language includes 'wanker' and 'bastard'. 'Bloody' and 'God', are deemed 'very mildly offensive' but even they should not be used indiscriminately, the guidelines state.

A Radio 1 spokesman said: 'In future, presenters who swear on air would be subject to disciplinary measures and persistent offenders could be taken off air.'

He apologised for the Moyles incidents and added: 'Since these shows were broadcast, new procedures have been introduced.'