Coronation Street actor Marc Anwar apologises for 'unacceptable' tweets

The actor says he sent the tweets which were branded 'racially offensive' by ITV in a 'moment of madness'

Sacked Coronation Street star Marc Anwar has apologised for using “unacceptable” language about Indian people, saying that his “rant” was a “moment of madness”.

The Pakistan-born actor, 45 - who plays Sharif Nazir in Corrie - was axed from the ITV soap after Coronation Street bosses were alerted to his Twitter comments.

Anwar, who joined the soap in February 2014 as a member of the first Muslim family on the cobbles, issued a video apology, hoping that people “forgive me”.

“I would like to offer my sincerest apologies to anyone that I may have offended with my tweets on Friday evening and especially people from India,” he said.

“This was never my intention and the language was unacceptable. I feel that I have let a lot of people down, my family, my friends and my former colleagues.”

“This I... very sincerely apologise for.”

He continued: “On Friday evening I saw, on the news, children being pulled out of rubble, people being pelted with pellets, women mourning their dead in Kashmir.

“This upset me very deeply and in a moment of madness I ranted out. I vented my anger.

“Again, the language that I used, I sincerely apologise for. But my feelings were very sincere for the people of Kashmir. And I hope that everyone that I have offended can find it in their hearts to forgive me.”

The Sunday Mirror published screenshots of messages posted on Anwar's private Twitter account which appeared to hit out at India over Kashmir and referred to Indian people as “bastards” and “piss-drinking c***s”.

An ITV spokeswoman previously said: “We are deeply shocked by the entirely unacceptable, racially offensive comments made on Twitter by Marc Anwar.

“We have talked to Marc and, as a consequence of his comments, he will not be returning to Coronation Street with immediate effect.”

Soap bosses are expected to do everything they can to minimise the actor's presence in the show until his character can be written out.

Anwar has appeared in Hollywood films such as Captain Phillips and 51st State.