Radio host says sorry for X-rated recording

National Radio listeners got more than they bargained for when a version of Patti Smith&#39;s classic album <i>Horses</i> was played. Photo / Supplied

People listening to a concert on National Radio yesterday got more than they bargained for when it came with the same swear words that landed MP Hone Harawira in trouble.

Listeners to the Matinee Idle programme heard the word "motherf*****" repeated during a version of Patti Smith's classic album Horses that was playing between 3pm and 4pm.

When the the concert was over Idle host Phil O'Brien apologised to listeners if they had been offended by the swear words that had mistakenly slipped past censors.

Radio New Zealand communications manager John Barr said Mr O'Brien apologised for the swearing because he was "professional" and felt like he should say something.

He said "some of our more sensitive listeners" phoned in immediately to say they were upset by the language.

Programmes were usually checked before they were played to ensure content like in yesterday's programme wasn't broadcast - but that didn't happen with yesterday's concert, he said.

"Someone didn't do it this time and slipped up."

The Horses version played yesterday with the offending words was recorded live in 2005 to mark the 30th anniversary of the album's release.

Three official complaints had been registered with Radio New Zealand by late yesterday afternoon.