Two phone complaints were made about the Ferdinand interview

The England star made the derogatory comment during a light-hearted conversation with Moyles about which players he found attractive.

Ferdinand immediately said: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm not homophobic."

A spokesperson for the station said: "There was no offence intended and we apologise for any offence caused."

On-air Chris Moyles said: "you can't say that," he then added that the comment was "footballing terminology for a funny lad".

Swearing apology

The whole conversation had started as Moyles had been discussing footballers and the way they look.

When Peter Crouch's name came up Ferdinand said: "He is a half decent looking geezer.

"I am not feminine or gay in any way but he is not ugly and a few birds like him," he added.

It is not the first time Radio 1's Breakfast Show has been in trouble for its language.

Earlier on in the year, complaints were received about Moyle's use of the word "gay" to mean rubbish, although the complaint was not upheld.

And he was forced to apologise for swearing live on air during a phone call with a listener.