Jeremy Irons just dropped the F-bomb live on Radio 2

The actor was regaling the studio with an anecdote about actor John Hurt, when he inadvertently dropped the F-bomb live on air.

Evans went into panic stations, apologising profusely for anyone who was offended.

However, judging by the reaction on Twitter, everybody had already forgiven the silver-tongued Irons for his live misdemeanour.

"I remember when I was a young man, about 30 as an actor, and John Hurt – who was a neighbour of mine in Hampstead – we were having a coffee one morning," he said. "When you get to 30 you begin to get a bit edgy you see, because you find there’s young ones coming up who look rather better than you, because they’re younger, and are rather good as actors.

"John and I were moaning about this," Irons continued. "And he said, ‘You know what I do when I find a good actor? I say to him, 'You have a wonderful voice. Have you ever listened to it?' And the actor is f****ed.’”

Cue absolute carnage in the studio, with Evans shouting, "You can't say that on the BBC!"

"I'm so sorry," Irons said while fellow guest Paloma Faith burst into a fit of laughter. "It's so relaxed here, so normal," he added.

"A little too relaxed," Evans said.

"I'm so embarrassed, I can't talk," Irons said. "I need to recover."

But while Irons was composing himself, listeners were loving it.

https://twitter.com/msissons/status/710756561279455234
https://twitter.com/HarryMilkshakes/status/710756780947722240

Maybe it's something about Irons's voice that lets him get away with it?

https://twitter.com/mattwecho/status/710757009075904512
https://twitter.com/NotPoshPete/status/710759730696855553

For sensitive listeners, we can only apologise. Catch up on Chris Evans's radio show here.

https://twitter.com/ElizaCorlett/status/710759742780612608