Broadcasting regulator Ofcom says it is to take no action over an edition of The Jeremy Kyle Show which featured the f-word during a daytime edition which was pre-recorded.
A guest on the talk show used the word - which should only be used after the 9pm watershed - during a "heated" on-air exchange with her stepfather screened at 9.25am.
ITV has apologised for the slip which had not been spotted when the programme was checked twice by compliance staff.
The network said the word - screened during a programme on November 4 - had not been clearly audible and explained: "In this case it seems that all of the various reviewers involved missed this one word."
Ofcom has decided not to take the matter any further. A spokesman said: "Ofcom found that ITV had taken appropriate steps to limit offence to viewers.
"This included issuing an apology and ensuring the programme was re-edited before it was shown again. As a result, we consider the matter resolved."
The regulator also looked into an edition of This Morning, shown two days later, in which Jade Goody's mother Jackiey Budden used the f-word during a live interview, prompting a rebuke from presenter Phillip Schofield and an apology to viewers, both immediately and later in the show.
Ofcom said it viewed the matter as resolved as a result of ITV taking "appropriate steps to limit offence to viewers".
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