Thandie Newton is urging fans not to turn their backs on shamed fashion designer John Galliano as he is "a human being who is in pain".
The flamboyant couturier's career has been in a downward spiral since he was arrested in France in February (11) over allegations he hurled anti-Semitic remarks at a couple during a night out, and a video tape which allegedly showed him praising Adolf Hitler later surfaced.
Galliano, who is currently at the centre of a police investigation in France over the scandal, was subsequently fired as head designer for Christian Dior and he has also been dismissed as creative director of his own fashion label.
But actress Newton is adamant Galliano should not be scorned by fans - as he deserves their sympathy.
She tells Britain's Evening Standard, "If someone's gone into rehab, I'm not thinking about their clothes. This is a much bigger deal than clothes; this is about a human being who's trying to check out of life.
"It goes way beyond what was said and any insults or offence taken. This is a human being who is in pain and I hope to God that he finds a way through that.
"I will be there to applaud him... It makes me emotional to talk about it."
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