‘I’m an idiot and I’m devastated to have caused offense’: British actor Benedict Cumberbatch issues apology after calling black people ‘colored’ on Tavis Smiley

‘British actor Benedict Cumberbatch has apologized after describing black people as ‘colored’ on US television, saying he is ‘an idiot’ and is ‘devastated to have caused offense’.

The 38-year-old Sherlock star was widely condemned after using the racial term during a debate on the lack of diversity on British screens on the PBS talk show Tavis Smiley last Wednesday.

But on Monday night, he issued an apology for his ‘incorrect’ and ‘offensive’ use of the phrase, saying: ‘I’m devastated to have caused offense 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.”

Read more: 'I'm an idiot and I'm devastated to have caused offense': British actor Benedict Cumberbatch issues apology after calling black people 'colored' on Tavis Smiley