Janet's revealing performance
MTV apologised today after pop star Janet Jackson "unintentionally" exposed her right breast during a half-time performance at the Super Bowl.
Jackson's leather bustier was ripped during a duet with Justin Timberlake, watched by a crowd of 72,000 at the Reliant Stadium in Houston and an estimated 100 million viewers worldwide.
MTV, which produced the show for sister network CBS, apologised shortly after the Carolina Panthers-New England Patriots game and insisted the incident was "completely unintentional".
It appeared that Timberlake ripped Jackson's outfit as he reached out to her, revealing her breast with what appeared to be a sun-shaped silver nipple ring.
In a statement, MTV said: "The tearing of Janet Jackson's costume was unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional and was inconsistent with assurances we had about the content of the performance.
"MTV regrets this incident occurred and we apologise to anyone who was offended by it."
Timberlake also issued an apology for the "regrettable" incident, MTV News reported.
He said: "I am sorry if anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance at the Super Bowl.
"It was not intentional and is regrettable."
Jackson did not release an official statement after the game, but her representatives told MTV News that she apologised for the incident.
The National Football League said it was unlikely MTV would be asked to produce another Super Bowl halftime show.
In a statement on its website, NFL executive vice president Joe Browne said: "We were extremely disappointed by elements of the MTV-produced halftime show.
"They were totally inconsistent with assurances our office was given about the show. It's unlikely that MTV will produce another Super Bowl halftime."
