February 19, 2013 15:30

BBC 6 Music apologises for blunder – playing 'Hey Joe' after Pistorius news report

Station played Jimi Hendrix song referencing a man shooting girlfriend directly after news on Paralympian murder case

Photo: PA

BBC 6 Music have been forced to apologise after playing a Jimi Hendrix song featuring lyrics directly after a news report on Oscar Pistorius.

The station played 'Hey Joe' by The Jimi Hendrix Experience this morning (February 19), shortly after a news update on the ongoing trial into the death of model Reeva Steemkamp. The former girlfriend of paralympian Oscar Pistorius was shot four times at Pistorius' home in South Africa on February 14. The lyrics to 'Hey Joe', originally recorded by The Leaves, include 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."

DJ Nemone, who was sitting in for Shaun Keaveny, apologised to listeners following the incident and a BBC spokesperson has since made a formal apology for any offence caused. "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," said the spokesperson. "An on-air apology was made immediately the mistake was realised."

Oscar Pistorius was today formally charged with premeditated murder at a court in South Africa. The athlete denies murdering his girlfriend, claiming that he shot her by mistake after believing that she was an intruder in his home. Appearing in court today, Pistorius broke down in tears and said that he loved Steenkamp and had not meant to kill her. Prosecutors deny this theory and claim he shot her through a locked bathroom door.

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