Monty Python fans complain that their heroes' farewell show doesn't have enough swearing

The broadcast on the Gold TV channel marked the last of the Python's 10 dates at the O2 Arena (Getty)

Monty Python fans hoping to hear their heroes turn the air blue were not looking on the bright side of life after the comedy legends’ farewell show, complaining that too much of the swearing had been taken out.

The comedians had vowed to make the show “filthy” and media watchdog Ofcom received 34 complaints from disappointed viewers watching on the Gold TV channel, complaining about “censorship” as swear words were “bleeped out” before the watershed.

The broadcast marked the last of 10 dates at the O2 Arena in London by the comedy act comprising John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, who were reunited on stage for the first time in four decades.

Idle had said before the run: “I have to say it’s pretty filthy. I’m happy and proud to say it’s pretty filthy and disgusting.”

The show, which was also broadcast to 1,500 cinemas around the world, started before the watershed and a spokesman for Ofcom said it was appropriate that the broadcaster had removed the profanities.

Yet the regulator has started an investigation after Gold failed to edit out all of the swearing. The spokesman said: "After receiving complaints about the broadcast of the most offensive language before the watershed, Ofcom is investigating a live performance of Monty Python on Gold."

Fans complained after Dara O’Briain, presenting the programme, said the broadcaster had to bleep the swearing to comply with Ofcom regulations.

The regulator’s spokesman said that to comply with broadcasting rules “the most offensive language cannot be shown on television before the watershed”.

It is not the first time that UK regulatory bodies have received complaints from fans about their favourite shows and films having some of the more extreme scenes cut.

Last year, the BBFC, the UK film classification board, revealed that it had received a series of complaints that there was not enough violence in A Good Day to Die Hard after the makers made cuts to receive a 12A certificate.