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BBC airs Christian Bale F-word rant during breakfast show

By Gary Fennelly
Friday, 6 February 2009

BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Susanna Reid after the unedited Christian Bale tape was broadcast

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The BBC was plunged into further controversy today after broadcasting an unedited clip of Christian Bale's 'F-word' rant live on the Breakfast show.

At around 6:55 this morning presenters introduced a clip of Christian Bale swearing on the set of a new Terminator film.

However the video was cut short after a few seconds when Bale's swearing was heard live on air.

The broadcast showed a photo of Bale and the tape recording, the first words heard were "You don't f****ing understand".

A shriek was heard in the studio, the tape ended and the programme returned to the two stunned presenters.

Charlie Stayt and Susanna Reid immediately apologised for the incident.

Ms Reid said: "An enormous apology. That was definitely supposed to be edited.

"We are very sorry. You won't hear that again. We do apologise."

Stayt had introduced the clip, saying "people may want to block their ears" expecting the clip to be heavily bleeped.

TV bosses launched an immediate inquiry as viewers rang in to complain about the blunder.

Within minutes internet blogs had picked up on the mistake.

One commentator said: "Christian Bale just said f*** on BBC breakfast. Not sure what was funnier, that or the look on Susanna Reid’s face."

A spokesperson for the BBC said today: "A technical error was to blame - we apologised on air immediately afterwards and another apology was given at the end of the programme. We also pulled a later repeat of the item. We are sorry for any offense caused."

Bale, who played Batman in The Dark Knight, became the subject of international debate this week, after a tape surfaced of him throwing an astonishing tantrum while filming.

During Bale's full tirade lasting just under four minutes Bale he furiously criticised Shane Hurlbut, the director of photography on the movie, for distracting him during a scene. The subsequent rant contained 37 uses of the “F-word,” an average of one every six seconds.

Bale repeatedly dubbed Hurlbut a “p***k”, threatened to attack him, and told executives he would quit the $185m film if his colleague wasn't fired.

A full tape of the incident was posted on the internet on Monday afternoon after apparently being leaked to show-business website TMZ.com, and rapidly went viral.

“I'm going to kick your f***ing ass!” it began, as Bale grew increasingly angry at the hapless Hurlbut's attempt to apologise for accidentally interrupting the scene.

“I want you off the f***ing set, you p****. No... Don't just be sorry. Think, for one f***ing second. What the f*** are you doing?”

Bale, playing the film's hero John Connor, shrugs off attempts by co-star Bryce Dallas Howard and director McG to calm him down during the incident, which was recorded on set at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.

“Do you want me to f***ing trash your lights? Do you want me to f***ing trash 'em?” he asks Hurlbut. “Then why are you trashing my scene? You are trashing my scene! You do it one more f***ing time, and I'm not walking on the f***ing set if you're still hired.”

Bale's publicist has declined invitations to comment, or otherwise explain his outburst.

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I am quite surprised the word ‘F’ which has spread for decades into so many mouths, has not been yet ‘adapted’ by most people in our society. The word ‘F’ is relatively used by many actors in many films, by comedians, without mentioning soap operas. So, what the fuss is that about that?
Indeed “some people” complains. But is it because they feel so offended? Or is it because the ‘individual’ who made the offence should be sacked, or seriously disciplined and punished over a meaningless, innocent slip of a tongue on Television? I much rather hear the so-called word in full, instead of hearing an annoying electronic ‘beep’ every time such an incident occurs on air.
I am not personally a great fun or a user of the word ‘F’ myself, but let’s face it, on the occasion I sometimes do. It all depending what really cheesed me off at the time, without offend, and in my opinion.

Posted by fool me not | 17.04.09, 12:16 GMT

Actually, he did apologize afterward. He spent the next week apologizing and feeling guilty. Everybody who hears this clip immediately writes him off as a jerk. But seriously, think about it for a moment. Haven't we all had at least one day where we completely lost our temper and made a fool of ourselves? Christian admitted s story is because he's a celebrity. Leave him alone. Thithat he acted like a punk and totally embarrassed himself. The only reason people are making such a big deal about this is personal for him. He said himself that what he did was "inexcusable" and called himself a "potty-mouth" but it's his problem not ours so just give him a break will you? Oh, and the crew member didn't get fired. Christian made sure that nothing happened to him after what he had said and made it a point to compliment him on the work he did. What he did was wrong but its over and he's apologized many times so PLEASE stop making such a big about it.

Posted by me | 10.02.09, 19:14 GMT

I see black taxis in Belfast advertising whiskey and calling it" the best fecking whiskey in the world" and this is perfectly legal and legitimate.
So my point is : Who decides what is a bad word?.

Posted by Cecil | 06.02.09, 21:29 GMT

Can anybody tell me if this foul mouthed man is in any way related to that famous Scotsman Gordon ******* Ramsay?

Posted by SAIGEADOIR COLLAC ABU | 06.02.09, 17:45 GMT

I'm surprised that they cut short the video! The BBCusually loves the opportunity to air the f word! They never return red faced after Jonathan Ross's show!

Posted by David Hutchinson | 06.02.09, 16:50 GMT

Roo, These words may be a part of YOUR everyday life, but there ARE some people who do NOT want to hear them in their own secure space but when something like this happens it is inexcusible.

Posted by Stuart | 06.02.09, 16:14 GMT

Don't take the recording at face value, its taken badly out of context

For a start, the person he was roaring out was not some peon on the set, some coffee gopher, its the director of photography, the third most important person on the set, a person that should know their job inside and out

Yet this person repeatably walked into and out of bales scenes, ruining the shoot. If this is the scene i think it is, it would have required bale to get into a particular mindset. To have that ruined several times would be incredibly frustrating.

Bale probably went to far, but i know how annoyed i am, when people have wandered into and ruined something i have been working on work, despite knowing better.

There are two sides to everything

Posted by Paul | 06.02.09, 14:16 GMT

I am more concerned about whoever was up at 6:55 watching this. It's not like we have any jobs to be going to.

Posted by Alan | 06.02.09, 13:45 GMT

dont see why this should be a problem, these words are a part of everyday life anyway

Posted by Roo | 06.02.09, 13:41 GMT

just another huge Hollwood ego trying to walk over the little people.

Posted by Millar | 06.02.09, 13:04 GMT

Christian is a talented actor but his behaviour was outrageous. He clearly demonstrated his own lack of professionalism. I can only but speculate that he was either on drugs or weaning himself off them at the time of his outburst. If I am wrong, then he perhaps needs to seek psychological help…. As for the BBC... the look of horror on poor Susanna's face was indeed priceless. Mistakes happen so I'm not going to be too quick to criticise.

Posted by Sharon | 06.02.09, 10:54 GMT

It's got to the stage where you almost feel sorry for the BBC. First Ross, then Thatcher and now this. Very funny though.

And doesn't it show what a total prat Christian Bale is by behaving in such a manner.

Posted by terry | 06.02.09, 10:37 GMT

Hilarious - especially as they are clearly walking on eggshells after Ross, Thatcher and no Clarkson.

Posted by SS | 06.02.09, 09:09 GMT

To all the breakfast mugs out there paying for a tv licence, this is a good reason why nobody should have to!

Posted by Mr T | 06.02.09, 09:03 GMT

So they can air this but not the Gaza appeal? :P

Posted by Dork Knight | 06.02.09, 09:02 GMT

I'm waiting for calls for whoever made the mistake to be sacked....surely they are no wores the Jonathon Ross...no...oh...Daily Mail readers don't care about this then!!

Posted by RB | 06.02.09, 09:00 GMT

OK this is pretty funny and obviously a mistake. However it is just one thing after the other with the BBC these days. What next? What on earth is going on with this organisation that I pay for? Surely there are checks in place to prevent this?

Posted by Dave Fitzpatrick | 06.02.09, 08:48 GMT

Someone at the BEEB has a sense of humour.. The way the executives are frightened of their own shadows at present this just proves what chaos they are in.

Priceless - the look on Susanna Reids face..

Posted by Mike M | 06.02.09, 08:44 GMT