Ananova:

MTV cut short an interview with Avril Lavigne after she stuck her middle finger up at the camera.

She was reacting to a question about what she thought about the way she was portrayed in the media.

MTV immediately scrapped plans for Lavigne to perform another song on Total Request Live, reports the New York Daily News.

Lavigne's spokeswoman defended the singer's actions saying: "It wasn't a gesture of defiance. She was laughing."

However, MTV bosses still reeling from the criticism they received over Janet Jackson's 'nipplegate' incident, were said to be furious.

An MTV source was quoted as saying: "It's totally inappropriate to make that gesture on the air. It's a little disrespectful to the audience."