‘I was out of line and I was wrong’ – Will Smith apologises to Chris Rock for Oscars slap

Will Smith has apologised to Chris Rock for slapping him at last night’s Oscars ceremony, saying: “I was out of line and I was wrong.”

Writing on Instagram, the former Fresh Prince described his behaviour as “unacceptable and inexcusable”.

He said the joke Rock made about his wife’s medical condition was “too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally”.

He wrote: “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.

“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.

“I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.

“I am a work in progress.”

Following the attack, Smith went on to win the best actor gong for his role in the biopic King Richard.

The organisers of the award show have said they “condemn” the attack and have opened a formal review into the incident.