'Doctor Who' episode edited to remove beheading after Islamic State killings

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- An upcoming episode of the long-running British show Doctor Who has been edited to remove a beheading after the murder of two U.S. journalists by the Islamic State.

"In light of recent events, we have made an edit to episode three out of respect," a BBC spokesman said in a statement.

The Robin Hood-themed episode, "Robot in Sherwood," airs across the BBC's networks worldwide Saturday, and the edited scene is believed to involve a fight between Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham.

A reporter from the New York Daily News who viewed the episode said the beheaded character was a robot.

"Robot in Sherwood" was filmed back in February, long before the Islamic State horrified the world by releasing videos that showed militants beheading journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff.