Oh @^#! Dame Helen Mirren turns the air blue on breakfast TV

OSCAR winner Dame Helen Mirren was left red-faced after a foul-mouthed slip of the tongue on BBC Breakfast yesterday.

The star was discussing her role in the remake of Arthur and John Gielgud's part in the original when presenter Sian Williams remarked that he was famous for swearing a lot.

Dame Helen replied: "Well, in that sort of wonderful voice he had… You little @^#!."

She immediately realised her mistake and covered her mouth, before saying: "I'm so sorry."

Co-presenter Bill Turnbull then joked: 'This is why we pre-recorded you last time!'

Viewers quickly turned to Twitter to share their amusement at her gaffe, and the actress was soon centre stage on the microblogging site. One viewer wrote: "Helen Mirren swearing like a trooper on BBC Breakfast. She really is a legend."

It is not the first time she has been caught out live on air. In 2007, she swore during a red carpet interview at the Baftas.

Arthur, which also stars Russell Brand, had its UK premiere in London last night.