Pop band Girls Aloud turned the airwaves blue when they swore on a live radio show and likened their Brighton hotel to Fawlty Towers.

The stars stayed at the Hotel Pelirocco on Tuesday night before appearing on Southern FM's breakfast show with Danny and Nicky yesterday.

When asked whether they had enjoyed their stay in Brighton, singer Nicola Roberts said the hotel was "Fawlty f***ing Towers".

But the chart-topper was not suggesting the service at the themed hotel was anything like that provided by Spanish waiter Manuel or owner Basil Fawlty. She was referring to a replica bell from John Cleese's hit show which Hotel Pelirocco has in reception.

The girls had found it particularly funny and enjoyed ringing it as a joke.

Hotel barman Dave Gray said: "I would be very surprised if they hadn't enjoyed their stay.

"When they arrived they didn't know it was a themed hotel - it had been booked for them as a surprise.

"They were really pleased and spent half an hour running around giggling and choosing their rooms.

"We have a bell just like Fawlty Towers in reception and they found it really amusing.

"They had cocktails and Chinese food in the bar. They seemed to have a really good time and stayed until 12.30am.

"They had to go to bed then as they were getting up at 6.30am."

The five singers - Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola - soared to stardom after winning Popstars The Rivals.

On air, Nicola admitted she had a phobia about stickers while Nadine did not like big dogs.

The band are promoting their new single Jump (For My Love), a cover of the Pointer Sisters' song, which was released on Monday.