BBC apology over Radio 4 gunman play

The BBC has apologised after broadcasting a radio play about a gunman a day after the shootings in Cumbria.

Six Impossible Things aired on Radio 4 on Thursday afternoon, a day after the deaths of 12 people.

The drama featured gunshot sounds and the killer was heard yelling, "I'll put a bullet in your brain".

The BBC said the radio station's Afternoon Play should not have gone out after receiving 66 complaints.

"With hindsight we believe it should not have been broadcast," the BBC said in a statement. "We regret any offence that was caused."

The play centred on true events surrounding double murderer Peter Hardy in Denmark in the 1950s.

The main character threatens members of the public with the words: "Stand back or I'll fire."

Meanwhile, ITV postponed Coronation Street for the second night running on Thursday night.

The soap's currrent siege storyline is known to feature gunfire and will result in the deaths of characters.