Best Buy nixes in-store Heath Ledger shrine

US retail giant Best Buy has apologised to Heath Ledger's family and fans after one of the firm’s employees erected a makeshift movie display in memory of the Brokeback Mountain star.

Just a day after the world learned of the sudden death of the Australian actor, who was found dead in his New York apartment earlier this week, a Best Buy staffer thought it was a good idea to arrange a Heath Ledger in-store tribute with a display of his movies on DVD.

A sign accompanying the lovingly-arranged homage to Ledger, who plays the Joker in the next Batman movie, encouraged customers at the store in Mission Valley, San Diego to "Remember a Great Actor Through Great Performances" by buying some of his films.

But Best Buy bosses took issue with the mini-shrine, and issued a statement yesterday in which it said that although it believed the "employee's heart was in the right place, it was a poor choice. One could easily view this as an attempt to profit from Mr. Ledger's death."

It said that the movie display was quickly dismantled and it also apologised "for any misunderstanding or offence". ®