Celebrity Apologies

Oh dear. When the celebrities find themselves in a very sorry state
Getty ImagesJonathan Rhys Meyers
Jonathan Rhys Meyers has issued a public apology after being photographed looking drunk in London.
The Damascus Cover star thanked fans for their support and asked them not to think "too badly" of him.
The 37-year-old star went on to assure people he was "on the mend" and that it was just a "blip" in his recovery.
Rex FeaturesZayn Malik
Zayn Malik has taken to Twitter to apologise over photos of him holding hands with a girl in Thailand have emerged online. The One Direction star tweeted: "I'm 22 years old... I love a girl named Perrie Edwards. And there's a lot of jealous fucks in this world I'm sorry for what it looks like x".
PA PhotosBenedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch has issued a statement of apology after referring to black actors as "coloured."
The Sherlock star used the outdated and somewhat offensive term when talking about the problems British actors face during a TV interview.
"I'm devastated to have caused offence by using this outmoded terminology," Benedict Cumberbatch's statement begins.
"I offer my sincere apologies. I make no excuse for my being an idiot and know the damage is done. I can only hope this incident will highlight the need for correct usage of terminology that is accurate and inoffensive.
"The most shaming aspect of this for me is that I was talking about racial inequality in the performing arts in the UK and the need for rapid improvements in our industry when I used the term.
"I feel the complete fool I am and while I am sorry to have offended people. I apologise again to anyone who I offended for this thoughtless use of inappropriate language about an issue which affects friends of mine and which I care about deeply."
PA PhotosRobbie Williams
Ever-cocky entertainer Robbie Williams issued a public apology to 007 actor Daniel Craig after he accidently dissed the star’s on-screen credentials at a party in LA. Recalling the incident to Heart FM's Toby Anstis, he said: "I was in Vegas once and I was at some celebrity party, and I was sat on the table and I looked over my shoulder and there was Matthew Vaughn - he of producing and directing fame. And I turned around and looked at him and he'd just done Layer Cake with Daniel Craig. And I said to him, 'Hey mate, what happened to the script? I would've been better than your lead.' And he said, 'Have you met Daniel?' And he was sat right next to him.
"I felt awful and I felt awful ever since. Sometimes being obnoxious isn't good. So Daniel, if you're listening, I love you. I'm sorry if you heard me being obnoxious."
Rex FeaturesKristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart released a statement following the reports that she cheated on Robert Pattinson with Snow White And The Huntsman director Rupert Sanders. "I'm deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I've caused to those close to me and everyone this has affected," she said. "This momentary indiscretion has jeopardised the most important thing in my life, the person I love and respect the most, Rob. I love him, I love him, I'm so sorry."
Big PicturesMark Owen
The Take That star had a "squeaky clean" image until he admitted having affairs with 10 women while with long-term partner Emma Ferguson. "I'm so deeply sorry for the pain my actions have caused my family and friends," he said in a statement. "I'd like to ask the media to please respect the privacy of my wife and children during this difficult time."
PA PhotosJohn Galliano
John Galliano got into serious trouble when he was caught allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks in a bar in Paris. Galliano quickly released a statement through his lawyer saying: “Anti-Semitism and racism have no part in our society. I unreservedly apologize for my behaviour in causing any offence."
rex featuresDavid Arquette
David Arquette got a bit carried away when he was a guest on Howard Stern’s radio show the morning after it was announced that he was separating from Courteney Cox. Surely he should have realised that shock jock, Howard was bound to pry? The US star fell into the trap of revealing a little too much information, confessing that he hadn’t had sex with Cox for four months amongst other intimate details. Realising his mistake, he got onto Twitter the next day to say: “I went on Howard Stern yesterday to provide clarity and honesty about what I'm experiencing… But while doing that I shared too much… It's alright for me to be honest about my own feelings but in retrospect some of the information I provided involved others and for that I am sorry and humbled”. Probably a little too late. Courteney remained quiet on the matter.
PA PhotosFergie
The ex-royal really got herself into hot water in May 2010 when she was caught offering an undercover News of the World reporter £500k to sell access to her former husband, Prince Andrew. Fleeing for the US, Fergie made a public apology on the Oprah Winfrey show, saying she wasn’t “in the right place” and “It is true that my financial situation is under stress, however, that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgment and I am very sorry that this has happened.”
PA PhotosTiger Wood
Tiger Woods was the most celebrated golfer in the world, until it was revealed that he’s been cheating on his wife Elin Nordengren with over a dozen women. “I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I convinced myself that normal rules didn’t apply… I ask you to one day find room in your heart to believe in me again.”
PA PhotosVernon Kay
Vernon Kay’s family man image was left tarnished when it emerged that he had been sending saucy texts to five women, none of whom were his wife, Tess Daly. “You may or may not be aware that, because of some foolish and stupid decisions I’ve made, I’ve disappointed and let down a lot of people. To my family and everybody else, I am very sorry.”
PA PhotosJude Law
Jude Law was left red-faced after it emerged that he slept with his children’s nanny, Daisy Wright. He quickly issued an apology to his family and then-fiancée Sienna Miller. “I am deeply ashamed and upset that I've hurt Sienna and the people most close to us. I want to publicly apologize to Sienna and our respective families for the pain that I have caused.”
PA PhotosSienna Miller
But then it was Sienna Miller’s turn to say sorry. She managed to offend an entire American city by complaining to a journalist about having to film in Pittsburgh. She later went on to apologise: “What I have seen of it is beautiful. I came once before to visit The Andy Warhol Museum whilst researching a film and found both the city and its inhabitants warm and gracious.”
PA PhotosNaomi Campbell
After lashing out at two police officers when Heathrow’s Terminal 5 lost her luggage, Naomi Campbell apologised. Sort of. "I apologise profusely" she said to the police involved. "As for British Airways, I don't apologise."
PA PhotosHugh Grant
Hugh Grant admitted he wasn’t so divine after being arrested for lewd behaviour with a LA prostitute in 1995. “I think you know in life what's a good thing to do and what's a bad thing, and I did a bad thing. I’m very sorry.”
PA PhotosKanye West
Kanye West took to the stage at the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards while Taylor Swift was accepting her Best Female Video Award and announced that Beyoncé Knowles should have won. What followed was a very rambling apology. “I’m sooooo sorry to Taylor Swift and her fans and her mom Andrea. I’m in the wrong for going on stage and taking away from her moment!”
PA PhotosJade Goody
The late Jade Goody said sorry to the Indian community after she was accused of racism towards her Celebrity Big Brother housemate Shilpa Shetty. "I am sorry for the hurt and pain that my actions caused... This is not a publicity stunt. Nobody knew I was coming here. It was a private visit. If I wanted, I could have got the UK magazines to come here with me."
PA PhotosChris Brown
Following his assault on girlfriend Rihanna, Chris Brown started the long road to rehabilitation with an apology. “I've told Rihanna countless times and I'm telling you today, I'm truly, truly sorry that I wasn't able to handle the situation both differently and better."
PA PhotosKate Moss
In a desperate attempt to save her career and public image, Kate Moss said sorry after being filmed taking cocaine with Pete Doherty in a recording studio. Seems like this is one apology that definitely did the trick. "I take full responsibility for my actions. I also accept that there are various personal issues I need to address and have started taking the difficult, yet necessary, steps to resolve them. I want to apologise to all of the people I have let down because of my behaviour, which has reflected badly on my family, friends, co-workers, business associates and others."
PA PhotosDavid Letterman
David Letterman apologised to his wife Regina Lasko live on his show after he confessed that he’d been the victim of a £2m extortion plot, following a series of affairs with female members of his staff. "She has been horribly hurt by my behaviour, and when something happens like that, if you hurt a person and it's your responsibility, you try to fix it… so let me tell you folks, I got my work cut out for me."
PA PhotosSinead O’Connor
Irish singer Sinead O’Connor found herself embroiled in controversy when she ripped up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on TV, saying “Fight the real enemy”. “It was a ridiculous act, the gesture of a girl rebel. It was because I was in rebellion against the faith, but I was still within the faith.”
PA PhotosMel Gibson
Mel Gibson released a lengthy apology following the anti-Semitic abuse he gave to a policeman, who arrested him for driving under the influence in 2006. "There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark. I want to apologise specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested on a DUI charge.
PA PhotosTom Cruise
Tom Cruise attacked Brooke Shields for her use of anti-depressant drugs in 2006. Though the actor wouldn’t change his stance on the drugs, the actress said he did make a heartfelt apology. "I did not feel that he was trying to convince me of anything other than the fact that he was deeply sorry. And I accepted it," she said.
PA PhotosMischa Barton
Mischa Barton was ready to take full responsibility for her actions after being arrested for possessing marijuana and driving under the influence. "I'm really disappointed in myself. I don't know what to say about it, except that I'm not perfect. I just don't intend to do something this stupid again. It was the end of the night and I just wanted to get my car home. I usually try not to get behind the wheel."
PA PhotosBill Clinton
Bill Clinton had a lot to be sorry for in 1998. His attempt to cover up his indiscretions with White House intern Monica Lewinsky led to an impeachment charge being brought against him in front of a grand jury. “I know that my public comments and my silence about this matter gave a false impression. I misled people, including even my wife. I deeply regret that.”
PA PhotosMiley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus found herself in hot water with movie bosses and young fans alike when she was photographed in a revealing poses by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair. “I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be ‘artistic’ and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed. The pictures of me on the Internet were silly, inappropriate shots. I appreciate all the support of my fans, and hope they understand that along the way I am going to make mistakes and I am not perfect. I never intended for any of this to happen and I am truly sorry if I have disappointed anyone.”
PA PhotosChristian Bale
Everyone was a bit scared of
Christian Bale after his f-word rant at a director of photography, who accidentally wandered into shot during the filming of Terminator 3. To restore his reputation, an apology came very swiftly. "I know I have a pottymouth, everybody knows that now. I have no confusion whatsoever. I was out of order beyond belief, I was way out of order. I acted like a punk, I regret that and there is nobody that has heard that tape that has been hit harder by it [than me]. I make no excuses for it, it is inexcusable and I hope that is absolutely clear.”
FlynetJohn Mayer
Musician John Mayer was accused of being a racist after he used the “n” word during an interview with Playboy magazine. “I am sorry that I used the word. And it's such a shame that I did because the point I was trying to make was in the exact opposite spirit of the word itself.”
PA PhotosSharon Stone
Sharon Stone sparked criticism after she commented that the 2008 Chinese earthquake was the result of Karma for the country’s treatment of Tibetans. “Due to my inappropriate words and acts during the interview, I feel deeply sorry and sad about hurting Chinese people. I am willing to take part in the relief work of China's earthquake, and wholly devote myself to helping affected Chinese people."
PA PhotosJamie Foxx
Oops! It probably wasn’t Jamie Foxx’s best idea to tell Miley Cyrus to “make a sex tape” and “do some heroine” during a radio show in 2009. "There was a situation with Miley Cyrus, and I just want to say, I apologize for what I said. I didn't mean it maliciously. You know I'm a comedian. You know my heart. Miley, I apologize, so I'll call you. I got a daughter too, so I completely understand.”
PA PhotosParis Hilton
Paris Hilton was in a contrite mood after being jailed for a number of driving offences in 2007. "I want to thank the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and staff of the Century Regional Detention Center for treating me fairly and professionally. I am going to serve the remaining 40 days of my sentence. I have learned a great deal from this ordeal and hope that others have learned from my mistakes."
PA PhotosRussell Brand
Russell Brand couldn’t stop himself making a joke or two when he apologised to Andrew Sachs after he and Jonathan Ross left a voicemail on the actor’s answer machine about his grand-daughter. "I'd like to take this opportunity to issue a personal Russell Brand apology to Andrew Sachs, the great comic actor who played Manuel, for a message that Jonathan and I left on his answer phone but it was quite funny. But, sometimes, you mustn't swear on someone's answer phone and that's why I'd like to apologise personally."
PA PhotosJonathan Ross
Jonathan Ross’ statement was slightly more serious…"I am deeply sorry and greatly regret the upset and distress that my juvenile and thoughtless remarks on The Russell Brand Show have caused. I have not issued a statement previously because it was my intention and desire to offer an apology to all those offended on my Friday night programme. However, it was a stupid error of judgment on my part, and I offer a full apology."
PA PhotosAlec Baldwin
When Alec Baldwin’s daughter Ireland wouldn’t answer his call, the former 30 Rock actor left an angry message in which he called her a “rude, thoughtless pig” and said she had humiliated him “for the last time”. It was dad’s turn to say sorry. "Obviously, calling your child a pig or anything else is improper and inappropriate, and I apologize to my daughter for that. Everyone in my life who knows me, knows that I have a great relationship with my daughter."