Radio 4 listeners have been left shocked after uncensored erotic fiction was read out over the airwaves pre-watershed, complete with a string of four-letter words.
Erica Jong’s 1973 controversial bestseller Fear of Flying is being serialised after Woman’s Hour at 10.45am and 7.45pm this week, but not everyone is happy.
The book, which talks about the joys of a “zipless f***”, is read by Anne Caulfield and yesterday’s 15-minute excerpt included four uses of the F-word alongside further explicit language.
Regular listeners were left open-mouthed as main character Isadora Wing talked about her sexual fantasies and quest for no-strings-attached encounters.
Mandy Wedgwood wrote on Twitter: “I heard this morning that they were doing Erica Jong on R4 and nearly crashed the car.”
Neil Goudie wrote: "My 1 yr old Godson could be listening. Outraged."
Twitter user @PenEnvy commented: "“#BBCRadio4 just used the phrase 'finger-f******' pre 8pm. Well, I never.”
Before the programme a warning told the audience they could expect “very strong language and a portrayal of sex from a female perspective.”
Ahead of the broadcast, a BBC spokesman said: “Radio 4 is an adult network and the drama slot after Woman’s Hour is long established with listeners expecting it to deal with a full range of adult issues which, on occasion, and when appropriate to the situation, include a realistic reflection of strong language.
"Fear of Flying is recognised as one of the most seminal, culturally significant pieces of feminist writing from the past 50 years and its broadcast will be contextualised by discussions on Woman’s Hour and strong language warnings."
