A MARRIED North-East radio DJ has been suspended after sending a string of suggestive emails to a listener.

Mark Thorburn invited himself to the woman’s home for sex in an exchange of messages fired off from his work email address.

The married 41-year-old father has told of his shame and begged his family for forgiveness.

After the emails were discovered, he was suspended from his lunchtime show at Newcastlebased Metro Radio.

The 27-year-old listener, who does not want to be named, had contacted the DJ, using his Metro Radio address, to request a song. But the exchange soon escalated into a steamy conversation, during which Mr Thorburn made a number of sexual references.

In a statement, the shamed presenter apologised to his wife, Lesley-Ann.

He said: “I realise that my actions have caused extreme embarrassment to my wife and family in particular, and also to my colleagues at work.

“The email exchange that afternoon was highly inappropriate, and I can offer no excuse.

“I realise the pain that this has caused, especially to my wife, for which I am deeply, deeply sorry.”

Despite Mr Thorburn’s requests, the listener did not meet the DJ.

Bosses at Metro became aware of the emails on Friday, while Mr Thorburn was on the air.

He was suspended immediately, pending further investigation.

Mr Thorburn lives in the Northumberland village of Haydon Bridge, with his wife, three children and two stepchildren.

It was revealed in August how police were called to the couple’s home after a late-night row turned violent. The presenter was arrested and has accepted a caution for common assault.