The Canadian authorities have decided that the F-word is not too blue for some radio listeners' ears.

Although on English-language broadcasting the word is still not used until it is beyond the evening watershed - and even then it is only used with a prior warning - it has been decided that on French-language radio stations it is perfectly fine to broadcast the profanity at any time of day.

The Canadian Broadcasting Standards Council (CBSC) previously restricted use of the word on both French and English-language radio stations, but relaxed the rules after complaints from listeners.

The issue was raised after complaints were made about French-language Montreal radio station CKOI-FM twice airing clips with the rude word in this year.

In the first clip, Madonna can be heard using it in reference to Donald Trump at a rally.

In the second, Green Day lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong was heard saying it during a concert.

However, the CBSC decided there was nothing wrong with this, as they say the word is so frequently used by those speaking the French language.

In a ruling released on Wednesday, it agreed with the French-language radio station which said the F-word is"part of the common French spoken language" and therefore does not have "the same vulgar connotations when used in French."