James Corden forced to apologise after insensitive Harvey Weinstein joke

James Corden has been forced to apologise after upsetting fans with an insensitive joke about Harvey Weinstein at a black-tie charity gala in Los Angeles.

The comic made light of the multiple serious sexual assaults that Weinstein has been accused of, and two of the women who have accused Weinstein of rape were among the first to condemn Corden’s jokes.

In footage from the swanky event, Corden told the audience that it was a beautiful night in LA, adding: “So beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage.”

After members of the audience groaned, a defiant Corden hit back: “I don’t know whether that groan was that you liked that joke or you don’t like that joke. If you don’t like that joke you should probably leave now.”

He added: “It has been weird this week hasn’t it, watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water. Ask any of the women who watched him take a bath… it’s weird watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water.

“Harvey Weinstein wanted to come tonight but he’ll settle for whatever potted plant is closest.”

Actress Rose McGowan, who has accused Weinstein of raping her, tweeted a clip of the British star’s speech and said: “You motherf****** piglet”, later adding: “Hearing the audience’s vile roars [and] laughs show exactly what kind of Hollywood you really are.”

Italian actress Asia Argento, who has claimed that Weinstein raped her when she was 21, also shared the footage and wrote: “Shame on this pig and everyone who grunted with him.”

In a statement released on twitter, Corden has now apologised, writing: “To be clear, sexual assault is no laughing matter. I was not trying to make light of Harvey’s inexcusable behavior, but to shame him, the abuser, not his victims.

“I am truly sorry for anyone offended, that was never my intention.”

McGowan said that CBS, the channel that broadcasts Corden’s Late Late Show, should also donate to a women’s charity.

Corden has also been slammed on social media by his fans, with many voicing their dismay on Twitter after his jokes emerged online:

Weinstein was the executive producer on Corden’s 2013 film One Chance, which saw the presenter play Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts.

Follow Yahoo Celeb UK on Twitter and Instagram for all of the latest celebrity news!