Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman has joked Kate Beckinsale is a "pig".

The 43-year-old comedian made the gag earlier this week, but has since been forced to clarify her comments after posting an image of the pair on Instagram with a caption insulting the 41-year-old actress, who previously dated Sarah's current boyfriend Michael Sheen.

Sharing the snap from the American Music Awards, she wrote: "I can't believe my boyfriend ever dated this PIG."

However, following numerous comments from shocked fans on the social networking site, she clarified that the statement was made in jest, with the 'Underworld' actress even encouraging her to post it.

She wrote: "My last tweet may have seemed mean but it's not bc 1) it's HILARIOUS 2) Kate told me to tweet it 3) she's funnier than all y'all xo , (sic)."

The 'Wreck-It Ralph' star - who began dating the actor and director in January - praised her beau's "beautiful" ex earlier this year, insisting his former love interests made her feel even more thrilled about dating the hunk.

In an interview on Howard Stern's Sirius XM radio show, the 'Masters of Sex' star said: "It's more like, 'Look at all these beautiful women and he loves me. It's more like that, like 'Wow!'"

Sarah - who was previously in a relationship with comedian Jimmy Kimmel - added she has no problem with her lover seeing his former flame, whom he has 15-year-old daughter Lily Mo Sheen with, as she is always making her laugh.

She gushed: "I love her. She's hilarious...She's really really cool. They're really funny together."

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