'I'm devastated to have caused offence': Benedict Cumberbatch On 'Colour' Remark

By Ians English

Academy Award nominee Benedict Cumberbatch, who was criticised for using racist term "coloured" to address black actors on a talk show recently, has issued an apology for his controversial remark.

"I'm devastated to have caused offence by using this outmoded terminology. I offer my sincere apologies. I make no excuse for my being an idiot and know the damage is done," the 38-year-old said in a statement.

"I can only hope this incident will highlight the need for correct usage terminology that is accurate and inoffensive. The most shaming aspect of this for me is that I was talking about racial inequality in the performing arts in Britain and the need for rapid improvements in our industry when I used the term," he added.

Cumberbatch made the controversial remark last week when he appeared on the show "Tavis Smiley".

'I'm devastated to have caused offence': Benedict Cumberbatch On 'Colour' Remark

Asked about black British actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and David Oyelowo, who starred in "12 Years a Slave" and "Selma", he said: "I think as far as coloured actors go, it gets really different in Britain, and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here (in the US) than in Britain, and that's something that needs to change."

Cumberbatch further wrote in the statement: "I apologise again to anyone I offended for this thoughtless use of inappropriate language about an issue which affect friends of mine and which I care about deeply.

Read more about: Benedict Cumberbatch

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