i think it depends where in the uk you are from. or maybe more what class you are, i grew up in a poor bit of london and **** was on a par with "git" or "wanker" it was never used as a super offensive word.
it was only years later when hanging with some more middle class people did i find people feeling it was a more taboo word
it was only years later when hanging with some more middle class people did i find people feeling it was a more taboo word