Songs by Cliff Richard, Whitney Houston and Bing Crosby are most likely to be used for torture, Scots researchers have revealed.

Songs by Cliff Richard, Whitney Houston and Bing Crosby are most likely to be used for torture, Scots researchers have revealed.

Academics at Glasgow University have claimed expletive laden tracks by Marilyn Manson, Eminem and Scandinavian Black Metal bands are less malevolent than music by their squeaky clean pop counterparts.

Seemingly innocent tunes such as, White Christmas and I Will Always Love You are amongst the biggest offenders - despite their family-friendly lyrics.

The startling findings claim violence springs from whoever is controlling how often and how loud the music is played rather than the words.

Martin Cloonan, senior music lecturer at the university, said people should try to move away from the stereotypical suspects.

He said: "When people talk about music and violence, most people will mention rap and metal among the worst offenders. But we would say things are a bit more problematic than that.

"There is no form of music which doesn't have the potential for violence."