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BBC suspends DJ for Queen’s death joke

May 19, 2010 05:15 pm | Updated 05:15 pm IST - London

A British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) radio DJ has been suspended for joking during a live broadcast that Queen Elizabeth II had died, a Spokesperson said.

Radio DJ Danny Kelly, 39, played the national anthem and told listeners during a live show on Monday that he had an important announcement to make and then said “Queen Elizabeth II has now died“.

However, within hours, the BBC had apologised for the “inappropriate remark about the Queen”, saying, “The comment was entirely inappropriate and the BBC apologises unreservedly for it. There was no intention to offend.”

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The show was on Tuesday presented by BBC WM presenter Mollie Green, who will fill in for Mr. Kelly until next Tuesday, the Corporation said.

Opening the two-hour programme, Mr. Green said: “Danny Kelly made an inappropriate remark about the Queen during his radio show here on BBC WM. The BBC apologises unreservedly for it. BBC WM takes these comments very seriously and due action has been taken.”

Mr. Kelly, who has worked for 10 years in local radio, used his BBC WM show, based in Birmingham, to make the joke live on air.

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