Tracy Morgan has issued a public apology after upsetting fans with homophobic remarks made during a recent stand-up show in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 30 Rock star took to the stage at the city's Ryman Auditorium for a comedy show on 3 June (11), but the fun ended when Morgan made a series of offensive comments about homosexuality and joked he would "stab" his son if he was gay.
The story hit the headlines and invoked the wrath of gay rights groups, with a representative for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD) urging Morgan to change his act.
The controversy has prompted Morgan to respond to critics and express his regret at his choice of material.
In a statement released on Friday (10Jun11), Morgan wrote, "I want to apologize to my fans and the gay & lesbian community for my choice of words at my recent stand-up act in Nashville.
"I'm not a hateful person and don't condone any kind of violence against others.
“While I am an equal opportunity jokester, and my friends know what is in my heart, even in a comedy club this clearly went too far and was not funny in any context."
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