BBC apology over shooting song

The BBC has apologised after it followed a radio news report on the trial of Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius with a song about a man shooting his girlfriend.

The gold-medal winner, known as the Blade Runner for his prosthetic legs, appeared in a South African court for his second appearance over the death of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp and was formally charged with premeditated murder.

The bulletin, which included details of the case, was played on Radio 6 Music at 9am and was followed by the Jimi Hendrix Experience version of Hey Joe.

The much-covered track, originally recorded by LA folk-rockers The Leaves, includes the lines "Hey Joe, where you going with that gun in your hand? I'm going out to shoot my old lady, you know I caught her messing around with another man".

The show's presenter Nemone, who was sitting in for the usual host Shaun Keaveny, apologised on air after the track was played.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "In light of the nature of the news story, we apologise for any offence caused by the proximity of the song Hey Joe to the bulletin. An on-air apology was made immediately the mistake was realised."

The song was the debut release by the Jimi Hendrix Experience and gave the guitar hero his first hit, reaching number six in the charts in 1967.