In scene's reminiscent of the Bill Grundy Show back in 1976, notorious frontman and one time housing officer with Southwalk Council, Johnny Rotten, brought Channel 4's flagship programme, Countdown to a standstill this afternoon.
Filling in for the madcap Piscean Gyles Brandreth, Rotten, real name Jonathan Cuthbert Lydon, appeared intent on finding obscene four letter words at every possible opportunity. The final straw for the producers was when brainy sex bomb and self confessed Crystal Meth addict Carol Vorderman brought out the letters E,T,A,O,C,U,D,N,C.
As quick as a flash the foul mouthed ex frontman stood up, and shouted at the top of his voice ," Cunt".
Channel 4 bosses decided to pull the plug at this point with the show's presenter Des O'Connor collapsed in a state of shock on the studio floor.
Speaking to our Arts correspondent, Countdown producer Michael Wylie said,
"Let's face it Mr Lydon was just trying to live up to his reputation. One has to ask themselves why a supposed anarchist takes part in such middle of the road programme's in the first place. He definitely puts it on for the audience. He was as good as gold in rehearsals. In fact he was telling us all about how excited he was to be a guest on 'Ready, Steady,Cook' next month.
"What really annoyed me is had Johnny given it more thought he would have seen the nine letter word, 'Accounted'. And we haven't had a nine letter word this series."
