British Soap Postponed After Shooting

The show was due to feature scenes of a gun hostage situation after the character Tony Gordon, played by actor Gray O'Brien, escapes from jail.

But the dramatic plotline, which sees two characters die, was scrapped and replaced by a different show as a mark of respect for the victims of a rogue gunman, who opened fire on residents in Cumbria, England earlier that day. He killed 12 people before turning the weapon on himself.

An ITV spokesperson said they decided to shelve the show in light of the "tragic events in Cumbria", adding, "We will continue to review the situation and will announce plans in due course."

The soap was scheduled to broadcast episodes throughout this week (begs31May10) as the siege storyline unfolded but it is not yet known whether Thursday's and Friday's (03/04Jun10) installments will be shown.