AWARD-WINNING radio compere Pamela Pak Wan-kam has been rapped over the knuckles for using 'inappropriate language' during her call-in show Heart to Heart. Pak's employer, Metro Broadcast, was warned by the Broadcasting Authority to observe radio programme standards more closely after she told a caller to her Cantonese agony-aunt-style programme to 'drop dead'. The authority said it found the remark rude, abusive and inappropriate. Pak defended her use of the words during the top-rated programme, saying the caller needed a verbal 'knuckle sandwich' in order to sort out her unhappy marriage. 'She wasn't offended by the remark at all,' she said. 'That caller sent me flowers and pastries the next day because the remark helped her. I was simply telling her the truth. 'She makes calls very often and I'm familiar with her. I've been in this business for a long time and I wouldn't tell her to drop dead unless I was sure she wasn't suicidal.' Pak said the programme was controversial by nature, with callers often discussing their views on sex, racism and personal problems. She said there were bound to be complaints. 'Some people, you have to pat them and give tender advice to them but with others you have to use strong words and give them a knuckle sandwich to make them listen.' The Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing, Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, said although Pak's comments might not sound harsh, it was difficult to define their true meaning in English. 'Strong words and swearing between these languages are quite different. 'The best description is that it was not language which is taken lightly. The [authority] considers it unsatisfactory for the show,' she said.