People like Jonathan Ross use it as though it's 'cheeky' and as if he's said something clever. The problem is that it makes it commonplace and acceptable - which it should not be.
American films are the worst offenders, Some that are shown on T.V. are just continuous swearing - no other script.

G.Wms., Rhondda, Wales

The only reason Gordon swears is because he is so passionate about what he does. I swear all the time when writing if my brain goes to mush.

I mean yes it does annoy when overused, in an abusive manner but that's just the way we are.

Anyway, if Gordon didn't swear we'd have nothing to moan about.

Seetal Udeshi, London, UK,

I performed in the Vagina Monologues, in which one monologue deals exclusively with the C-word. I still don't like it, mostly because it implies such vitriol. Too much use of the F-word is just unimaginative, nothing else.

Sarah, Ottawa, ON, Canada

In addition to Gordon Ramsay, in the U.S. we have a show on the Bravo (cable) network called "Top Chef" which also has to do a lot of bleeping. It gets boring. How about expanding your vocabulary for a change?

swissmiss, Wash., D.C., USA

Well, call me old-fashioned, but I object to a torrent of foul language coming from the TV. It's hard enough bringing up teenagers without them seeing 'celebrities' apparently using most unseemly language with impunity. Ramsey should let his cooking do the talking: it can be offensive but silent.

Chris Palmer, Southampton, England

A lot more offensive things be said in "good wholesome English" than the simple use of swear words. You can insult vilely without swearing. You can hurt, mislead, defraud - without swearing. Does swearing really matter that much? Or should the focus be on manners?

Steve, Cumbria,

Actually no, some of us out here are still shocked when we hear foul language, on TV or when you are out and about . I just equate the amount of swearing from a person to their lack of grey matter .

SO, Oxfordshire,

This is easily solved. Show the Bishop how to put a block on his Telly. He can block channels that promote sex, politics, religion, and two blocks on MTV. We live in a free World and the Bishop has the right to block what he wants. I would suggest the Weather Channel be blocked also. Dreary news

Gary Holbrook, Golden, Colorado, USA

Get a life. Just another case of the Nanny Police telling you what you can and can't watch or listen to. 'Don't look at that cigarette display in the shops, don't buy this car, don't put your bin out at this time, don't do this, don't do that.' If you don't like it, watch something else.

Paul Downes, Milton Keynes, Bucks

As a woman it makes my skin crawl every time I hear this word. To me, making love is a sacred and private thing between husband and wife. This word is degrading and ugly and conjures up thoughts of rape and abuse in the worst way. It is ignorant and stupid to use it for every second verb.

Sue, Brisbane, Australia

I am not offended by swearing on television but find it irritating when overly used. Having said that, being forced to watch Ramsay on American TV channels (as opposed to uncensored British version), the constant beeps over the F's are far more irritiating and truly offensive!

Nadia, Hamilton, Bermuda

Would you say Gordon Ramsey was a rational person? He finds bad food obejctionable, and even revolting, but appears to love using foul language.

Peter Greenhalgh, Stockholm, Sweden

Swearing on TV well C'est la Vie !!!!

Gordon's so called cooking tips - well who gives a f.......!!!!!!!

Ian Payne, WALSALL,

People focusing on things like this are the reason more serious matters go ignored in this country. What's wrong with you?! They're just words - collections of letters that only take on whatever meaning YOU ascribe to them. Choose not to be offended and you won't be, it really is that easy.

DanX, Cardiff, Wales

I do not swear - never have, and I hate to hear other people swearing, on the box or anywhere. It offends me deeply to hear bad language used in any situation. Why is it at all necessary?
Express your feelings, good or bad, in good wholesome English and leave it at that.

Norman Anderson, Dorchester, UK

My feeling is that TV is guest in my house and I wouldn't expect a guest to swear in front of my children. Seems a good rule of thumb for the producers to follow, and whose children are in bed at 9pm on a Friday? + In the context of a drama I can accept it but in a cooking programme??

jason White, Paris,

That swearing is condoned by the chattering classes should not make it acceptable to the rest of us. It is a bad example to our young people and serves us ill as a mirror of our nation's values. Ditto drug-taking and excessive drinking that are now deemed 'acceptable' by so many opinion formers.

Clive Burton, London,

Does Andrew Billen think Josef Fritzls behaviour was acceptable?. If not now, he may consider it acceptable in 20 years time following his logic as regards swearing. It is a dangerous process to which he subscribes.

Jeremy Bedrock, Bath, England

Doubtless then Mr Fry knows the workman who was swearing at volume without interruption into his mobile phoneoutside my house. When I asked him to desist because I did not appreciate my children of 10 and 5 to exposed to that language he simply swore at me.

Fred, London, Uk

"Swearing is a really important part of one's life. It would be impossible to imagine going though life without swearing or without enjoying swearing"

"The people I know who swear the most tend to have the widest vocabularies."

Both quotes courtesy of Mr Erudite himself, Stephen Fry.

Suave, london, UK

Totally agree with you Fred and Chris. Not in any way should these words be accepted as part of normal language. It's ignorant, and shows how far standards of behaviour and basic english language education have fallen.

Rita, Mulhouse,

An interestng point to add is that those who speak English as a second language and come from cultures that take great offense to swearing, find it completely acceptable to curse in English, It is seen as being less offensive than saying the same meaning in their native language.

Zaineb, Calgary,

If these words are so inoffensive, why do you not print them?
In fact they are offensive, and their widespread use is a measure of the coarsening and incivility of our society. Walk down the road and you are sure to come across a group of yobs shouting obscenities at each other. No wonder.

MikeMSN, Midsomer Norton, UK

Here in the land of "free" speech, it's illegal to utter far tamer words, even in context of a song or films that are re-edited for the TV. The average American uses this language, but fails to see a connect between actual moral conduct and phony moral legislation that only serves the pol classes

Chad, San Diego, USA

I always remember my father telling me that in when he was young, in the 1930's, his father nearly threw him out of the house for saying the word "Blast!".
So to a certain extent I must be a good thing that people are no longer quite so sensitive to these things.

Ray, Swindon, Wiltshire

We get Ramay on three consecutive weeknights at 9:30pm - Nightmares UK, Hell's Kitchen and Nightmares USA. Most enjoy these shows and understand the context of Gordon's 'colourful' language in a high-energy workplace, and some don't. However, we all have a choice. Your TV has an OFF button - use it.

Michael Costello, Sydney, AUSTRALIA

The ubiquity of the F-word does not mean that it's acceptable language.

It seems to me that many people today do not recognise when it might be better to forego the bad language and utilise a less offensive word. Granted, for many of our population this would stretch their intellect too far.

Chris Palmer, Southampton, England

Andrew Billen writes as if he were preaching to the converted, purely in the context of the modern UK. What he must begin to realise is that English is now the accepted international language and that students of English as a Foreign Language regularly log on to UK websites to develop their skills.

Edmund Burke, Kingston upon Thames, England

Could the morons who lack the vocabulary to express themselves without peppering their speech with random fs and cs at least try to use them correctly? Of course not, they don't have the wit. Its ugly and unnecessary and I'm fed with being subjected to it every time I leave the house.

Fred, London, Uk