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Benedict Cumberbatch came under fire after using racist term "colored" to address black actors on a PBS talk show, "Tavis Smiley". On Monday, January 26, Cumberbatch released a statement to apologize for his controversial remark, "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."

He added, "I can only hope this incident will highlight the need for correct usage 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 U.K and the need for rapid improvements in our industry when I used the term."

"I apologize again to anyone I offended for this thoughtless use of inappropriate language about an issue which affect friends of mine and which I care about deeply," the 38-year-old actor continued.

Many supports came from Cumberbatch's fans on Twitter after he released the apology statement. A fan said, "Benedict Cumberbatch isn't racist, coloured is still a really common term in England, PC drives me mad." Another said, "I understand 'coloured' is not an appropriate term but Benedict Cumberbatch is clearly not racist."

Cumberbatch made the controversial remark last week when appearing on "Tavis Smiley". Asked about black British actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and David Oyelowo who starred in "12 Years a Slave" and "Selma" respectively, he said, "I think as far as colored actors go, it gets really different in the U.K., and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here (in the U.S.) than in the U.K., and that's something that needs to change."

"Something's gone wrong," he added. "We're not representative enough in our culture of different races, and that really does need to step up apace." The "Sherlock" star continued, "I don't want to get into any debates about that, but it's clear when you see certain migratory pattern that there are more opportunities here than in the U.K."

Anti-racism organization Show Racism the Red Card praised Cumberbatch's overall message in the interview that black actors could find more opportunities in the U.S. However, using "colored" term is somewhat controversial and refers to people from ethnic minorities.