• Boycott unaware that he was being heard by listeners • BBC: 'We apologised as soon as we realised it was audible'

This article is more than 10 years old

This article is more than 10 years old

The BBC apologised to radio listeners today after a foul-mouthed outburst from Geoffrey Boycott during its cricket coverage.

The outspoken 69-year-old commentator was overheard shrieking "fucking tosser" during the corporation's Radio 5 Live sports extra coverage of England's one-day international match against South Africa this morning.

His comment was understood to have been made after England took a sixth wicket as they bowled South Africa out for 119 in the fourth one-day international in Port Elizabeth. It was not known who the comment was directed at and Boycott was unaware comments were being broadcast, a BBC source said.

Ryan McLaren was the sixth South African wicket to fall, caught by Paul Collingwood at backward point for a fifth-ball duck, giving James Anderson the fourth of his five wickets during the innings.

A Radio 5 Live spokesman said: "An off-air comment made by Geoffrey Boycott in a live broadcast was heard by some listeners which we apologised for as soon as we realised it had been audible."