Zoo sorry over Dyer 'cut your ex's face' gaffe

ZOO magazine apologised unreservedly yesterday after agony uncle Danny Dyer's column advised a heartbroken man to cut his former girlfriend's face.

Zoo's Ask Danny column featured a 23-year-old Manchester man who said he was unable to get over a broken relationship.

But the column, attributed to Dyer, a 32-year-old actor, suggested he go on the "rampage" or "cut your ex's face, and then no-one will want her".

The magazine said it condemned violence against women, as did Dyer, and an internal inquiry has been launched. It said a "production error" was responsible for the comment making it to print.

A statement issued on behalf of Zoo said: "Due to an extremely regrettable production error, an inappropriate and indefensible response to a letter has appeared in this week's issue."

However, Holly Dustin, manager of the End Violence Against Women coalition, described the comment as "truly stomach-churning".

Dyer's representative was not immediately available for comment, although he was quoted on a tabloid newspaper's website as saying the advice was not his. He said: "This is totally out of order, I am totally devastated."