BBC jockey stirs controversy by announcing Queen's death

A BBC radio jockey stirred a sensation over the airwaves in the UK by jokingly announcing that Queen Elizabeth II had died and then switched on the national anthem 'God save the Queen', forcing the organisation to tender an "unreserved apology".

Disc jockey Danny Kelly, 39, played the national anthem and told listeners that he had an important announcement to make and then said "Queen Elizabeth II has now died."

The announcement was made today over BBC WM, local radio service beamed to British city of Birmingham and West Midlands.

A BBC spokesman later confirmed that "Danny Kelly had made an inappropriate remark about the Queen in his radio show".

BBC said the remarks although part of a light hearted piece was corrected on air immediately.

"The comment was entirely inappropriate and the BBC apologises unreservedly for it. There was no intention to offend," the spokesman said.

BBC said that it took the gaffe "very seriously" and action would be taken.

BBC WM website describes Kelly as having "a unique brand of humour".