'I'm an idiot': Benedict Cumberbatch apologises over 'coloured actors' comment

The Imitation Game Oscar nominee called himself 'the complete fool' for his use of the term.

18:03 27 January 2015

Benedict Cumberbatch has apologised over his “coloured actors” comment, saying that he had been “an idiot” and was “devastated to have caused offence.”

The Sherlock star made the comment while speaking to US talk show host Tavis Smiley in a discussion about the allocation of roles.

He said: “I think as far as coloured actors go it gets really difficult in the UK, and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here (in the US) than in the UK, and that’s something that needs to change.”

After a social media outcry over the outdated nature of the term, the 12 Years A Slave actor quickly apologised and released a statement that reads: “I feel the complete fool I am and while I am sorry to have offended people and to learn from my mistakes in such a public manner please be assured I have.”

Cumberbatch was recently Oscar nominated for his work in the war drama The Imitation Game.