ABOVE: Goncalo Amaral was recorded swearing on camera by the BBC

BBC bosses sparked a row after accusing Goncalo Amaral of a four-letter tirade against Kate and Gerry McCann.

They insisted the ex-detective said: “F*** the McCanns,” when asked by a BBC reporter if he felt his allegations were hurting the couple.

But last night it was claimed he said:

“Fala com McCanns,” which means:

“Speak to the McCanns”.

Asked if he had sworn, Mr Amaral replied: “Never. I don’t know what you are talking about.”

Rival TV companies refused to broadcast the footage after their translators studied it.

But it was broadcast, with the key word bleeped out, by the BBC in the East Midlands.

A BBC spokesman said: “The exchange was recorded on camera. The swear word was bleeped out for transmission as it was clearly unacceptable to broadcast such language at 6.30pm.”