Viewers of This Morning were caught off guard on Monday when TV chef Clodagh McKenna accidentally let a swear word slip live on air. 

The incident prompted an immediate apology from presenter Ben Shephard

as he and co-host Cat Deeley tried to smooth over the unexpected moment.

A Kitchen Mishap Leads to an On-Air Slip-Up

During the segment, Clodagh was in the studio to demonstrate her recipe for a spring leek and chicken filo pot pie.

As she prepared the dish, an unexpected mishap occurred when hot liquid splashed onto the side of the hob and onto her skin.

Reacting to the sudden burn, Clodagh exclaimed, “Oh s***! That’s hot…” before quickly realising her mistake.

Looking around at the studio crew, she attempted to brush it off, adding, “Sorry. I did not say that bad word, did I?” However, it was too late, as the slip-up had already been caught on air.

Ben Shephard’s Quick Apology

Realising what had happened, Ben Shephard quickly stepped in to address the situation. “I’m not sure…” he said, before adding, “Apparently, we have to apologise just in case.” His co-host Cat Deeley lightheartedly commented, “It’s because she’s got her glasses on,” to which Ben agreed, “It’s the glasses!”

Despite their attempts to downplay the situation, viewers at home were quick to react, with many taking to social media to confirm they had indeed heard Clodagh’s slip. One viewer wrote, “Yeah, we all heard her #ThisMorning,” while another added, “Yep, we heard you.”

Clodagh McKenna’s This Morning Journey

Clodagh has been a regular on This Morning since 2021, sharing her culinary expertise with audiences. She previously expressed her excitement about joining the team, posting on Facebook, “I’m SO happy to share with you all that I’ve officially joined the This Morning ITV family. Lots of fun times ahead, whipping you up delicious recipes with a large side order of fun!”

Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, who have been hosting the show together since March 2024, handled the situation with their usual charm, keeping the atmosphere light-hearted despite the unexpected moment.

Not the First Time Swearing Has Slipped Through

Live television often comes with its fair share of unpredictable moments, and this was not the first time a slip of the tongue caused a stir on This Morning. Just last week, travel journalist Chelsea Dickenson had her own mishap while reporting from a ski resort in Zakopane, Poland.

Chelsea, known as the “Cheap Holiday Expert,” was demonstrating affordable ski trips when she took a tumble live on air. As she lost her balance and fell, viewers believed they heard her exclaim “Oh f***” multiple times before crashing into a fence. Cat and Ben, watching from the studio, burst into laughter, while Chelsea, still lying in the snow, exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, I didn’t even make it down the slope. Someone save me, back to the studio.”

Once again, Ben was forced to issue an apology, stating, “So we’re not 100% sure whether she used the Polish for luck or the word that we have to apologise for. We will apologise to you just in case.”

More On-Air Swearing Incidents

The unexpected swearing trend continued later in the same This Morning episode when chef Phil Vickery appeared to mutter “s***” during a cooking segment. Attempting to prepare an omelette within a set time, Phil became frustrated when his eggs didn’t cook fast enough, leading to what some viewers believed was a slip of the tongue.

Although it wasn’t entirely clear whether he had actually sworn, Ben once again issued an apology after the break, acknowledging that some may have heard the word differently.

Live TV’s Unpredictability

These incidents highlight the challenges of live broadcasting, where anything can happen. While minor slip-ups like Clodagh’s are generally taken in stride, they can still spark reactions from audiences at home. Fortunately, This Morning’s presenters are well-versed in handling such situations, ensuring the show remains entertaining and professional.

As for Clodagh, she is sure to be more cautious with her words in future kitchen segments—but as live television has shown time and time again, anything can happen when the cameras are rolling!