The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has apologised after sex noises interrupted the analysis of FA cup third-round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool.

Gary Lineker was presenting the match replay on Tuesday, January 17, when moaning was heard in the background.

Lineker later posted a picture of a mobile phone, saying it was "taped to the back of the set".

"We apologise to any viewers offended during the live coverage of the football this evening," the BBC said in a statement.

The BBC reports that an investigation into the incident has commenced.

As the moans persisted during live broadcast in a studio at Wolverhampton's Molineux Stadium, Lineker, who was on set with pundits Paul Ince and Danny Murphy, tried to laugh it off.

As he linked up with a colleague and fellow former England striker Alan Shearer in the commentary gantry, he said: "Somebody's sending something on someone's phone, I think. I don't know whether you heard it at home."

When the match started, he shared a picture of a mobile phone on Twitter and three laughing emojis alongside the words: "Well, we found this taped to the back of the set. As sabotage goes it was quite amusing."

Speaking on BBC Two's Newsnight later on Tuesday, Lineker explained that he initially thought a video had been sent to one of the pundits' phones. But it was "too loud", he said, at which point he realised the incident was some kind of prank.

Liverpool’s 13th minute goal by Harvey Elliott was enough for them to advance to the fourth-round of the FA contest as The Reds triumphed 1-0 over Wolves.