Channel 4 said the scene “is not to be taken seriously” and is “purposely outrageous”.

But Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said he felt it was “sick and frankly irresponsible”.

It comes just weeks after comedian Jo Brand joked about throwing battery acid over Mr Farage in a BBC radio show.

The shocking scene begins the fourth episode of The Year of Rabbit, a period police comedy starring Matt Berry and Keeley Hawes.

A character called Neil Fromage is making a rousing speech about the evils of immigration in front of a rowdy mob when he appears to be shot in the head.

Although the episode is not due to be broadcast until tomorrow night, it has already been made available to download to millions of Sky customers.

Mr Farage said: “This scene sounds totally sick and frankly irresponsible.”

He added: “I think with Channel 4 we have reached a point where they are so partisan politically in everything they do that they now consistently go beyond what’s acceptable.”

Martin Daubney, Brexit Party MEP for the West Midlands, also slammed the show.

He said: “In the interest of political and editorial balance, I look forward to Channel 4’s characterisation of Jeremy Corblimey – a militant Communist who is ritually drowned in a vat of muesli while singing the Red Flag.

“Which won’t ever happen, as only those from the ‘right’ are considered fair game by liberal comics.”

A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: “Year Of The Rabbit is a purposefully outrageous and heightened comedy set in Victorian-era London featuring exaggerated and ridiculous fictional characters. In this context it is clear to viewers that the actions of these characters are preposterous and not to be taken seriously.”

● Year Of The Rabbit, Channel 4, tomorrow, 10pm

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