The BBC apologized after the f-word was accidentally aired. (Credit: BBC via Daily Mail, screenshot)

BBC hosts Susanna Reid and Charlie Stayt apologized after what a BBC spokesperson described as a “not-for-broadcast audio containing an audible swearword” — or the f-word — unintentionally aired, the Guardian reported.

According to the Guardian, the BBC said “the error was caused by a radio microphone inadvertently being left on outside our studio.”

The Sun reported that host Susanna Reid said on air:

“Now a little earlier on the programme we understand that there was a technical error and a microphone may have been open and unfortunate language may have been broadcast on the programme.

“If you heard that this morning we do make an apology for that, unfortunately people who presume that their microphones are closed may talk a little bit more freely than they should, so apologies if you were offended by that.

“And we’re just going to look into correcting that technical problem and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”