The Imitation Game actor Benedict Cumberbatch has apologised for his “coloured” comment. Source: Getty Images
BENEDICT Cumberbatch has apologised after referring to black actors as “coloured” during an interview on US television.
The Academy Award-nominated actor says he was an “idiot” to refer to non-white actors as “coloured” and is “devastated” to have caused offence.
The Imitation Game star used the word on PBS talk show Tavis Smiley last week, ironically while discussing diversity within the entertainment industry.
Cumberbatch, 38, said: “I think as far as coloured actors go, it gets really different 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.”
Benedict Cumberbatch received a mixed response from listeners after using the term. Source: AFP
British anti-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card said it welcomed Cumberbatch’s comments on diversity but felt the term he used was “outdated.”
A spokesperson for the organisation told the Independent: “Benedict Cumberbatch has highlighted a very important issue within the entertainment industry and within society. In doing so, he has also inadvertently highlighted the issue of appropriate terminology and the evolution of language.”
They added that the term “has the potential to cause offence due to the connotations associated with the term and its historical usage”.
In a statement Monday, Cumberbatch apologised for his “thoughtless use of inappropriate language.”
He said: “I’m devastated to have caused offence 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.”
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