Zoo magazine sorry for Dyer 'cut ex's face' advice

Danny Dyer is known for playing hard, macho characters

Zoo magazine has apologised for an agony uncle column under actor Danny Dyer's byline that advised a reader to cut his ex-girlfriend's face.

Alex, 23, from Manchester, wrote to the publication aimed at young men saying he was unable to get over a break-up.

Dyer's column's advice was to go on the "rampage" with the boys or "cut your ex's face, then no-one will want her".

Zoo blamed the comments on a production error, but anti-violence campaigners said the advice was "inexcusable".

Refuge CEO Sandra Horley said: "It is all too easy to dismiss comments like these as a joke, but we know that domestic violence takes lives and ruins lives.

"Two women are killed every week by a current or former partner - and these figures aren't going down.

"One in eight young men believe it is OK to hit their girlfriend if she is nagging."

Zoo and Danny Dyer condemn any violence against women Statement from Zoo magazine

She said the "irresponsible and tasteless comments" reinforced these attitudes.

Holly Dustin, manager of the End Violence Against Women coalition, described the comment as "truly stomach-churning" and called for Zoo to publish a prominent retraction.

Zoo said an internal inquiry had been launched and a donation would be made to Women's Aid, a charity that supports victims of domestic violence.

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.

"Zoo editor Tom Etherington apologises unreservedly for any offence the response may have caused and launched an internal inquiry to ensure lessons are learnt.

"Zoo and Danny Dyer condemn any violence against women."

Dyer is best known for starring in films such as The Football Factory, The Business and Dead Man Running.

His representative was not immediately available for comment, but the Sun quoted him as saying the remarks were not his.

"This is totally out of order, I am totally devastated," he told the paper.