The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has apologised for cricketer-turned-commentator Geoffrey Boycott's on-air rant.

Known for his outspoken nature, Boycott was heard shouting "f****** t****r" during BBC Test Match Special coverage of England's third ODI against South Africa.

It is not known who the comment was aimed at and Boycott was unaware that his comments were on air, 'The Daily Telegraph' quoted a BBC source as saying.

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"An off-air comment made by Geoffrey Boycott in a live broadcast was heard by some listeners which we apologised for as soon as we realised it had been audible," a Radio 5 Live spokesman said.

In 2006, Australian cricketer-turned-commentator Dean Jones lost his job after the former player referred to South African batsman Hashim Amla as a 'terrorist' during a Test match in Colombo.