MTV rapped over Boyzone outburst

Swear it again: Boyzone's Shane Lynch (far left) was bad luck for MTV

Music channel MTV has been carpeted by a broadcasting watchdog following a four-letter tirade from Boyzone star Shane Lynch.

The boy band member's outburst came during the MTV Europe video awards held in Dublin on 11 November.

Although there were no complaints about Lynch's remarks, the Independent Television Commission ruled them unacceptable on a show which was likely to have been watched by younger viewers.

Shock rocker Marilyn Manson and veteran performer Iggy Pop also used swear words on the live show, which began before the 2100 watershed.

Raunchy: George Michael's video screened on MTV

ITC spokeswoman Helena Hird said: "It is no excuse to say pop stars sometimes come out with bad language.

"This was a live show which was likely to have attracted a family audience."

MTV also came under fire for the daytime screenings of George Michael's controversial Roxanne video - which featured real-life prostitutes and some nudity - and Lenny Kravitz's raunchy Black Velveteen.

The ITC said: "The sexual images in both videos were unsuitable for any daytime transmission."

It also criticised Channel 4 for an episode of its Top Ten series which included Doctor and the Medics. Two viewers complained about a swear word uttered by the lead singer, which the ITC decided "added little of significance to his observations of his current status".

Different person

Meanwhile, Lynch's fellow Boyzone member Stephen Gately has been speaking about the change in his life since "coming out" and admitting he was gay.

Gately, 24, told ITV's This Morning programme: "I'm just a completely different person. I used to be so stressed."

No pressure: Boyzone star Stephen Gately

He said he used to be constantly looking over his shoulder to make sure no-one saw him with his partner, Eloy de Jong from Dutch boy band Caught In The Act.

But since his declaration last June, Gately said he was no longer carrying around "the weight of the world".

"I'm so much more relaxed. I can go out shopping, me and Eloy can go for walks and it's not a problem.

"I've had loads of guys come up and say, 'Fair play to you, it takes a lot of guts and courage to do that', which it is," he added.

Gately is due to release his first solo single - called New Beginning - in the next few weeks.