Neeson ‘cancels US talk show appearance’ amid race row

LIAM NEESON has cancelled a US television show appearance amid controversy over his rape revenge comments.

The Irish actor, 66, was due to appear on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert today as he promotes his latest film Cold Pursuit.

However, on the listings for forthcoming guests on the programme, Neeson had been replaced by The Wife actress Glenn Close.

It is understood that Neeson pulled out after he attracted widespread criticism for comments regarding thoughts he had decades ago about killing a black man.

Speaking to the Independent about revenge, a theme in Cold Pursuit, he said he roamed the streets looking for a “black b------” to kill after someone close to him was raped.

Fans on Twitter have called for a boycott of his films, though some, including ex-footballer John Barnes and author John Banville, defended him.

The red carpet at the film’s New York premiere on Monday was conspicuously missing due to the controversy.

On Tuesday, Neeson appeared on Good Morning America to reflect on his comments, saying he was not a racist.

He said he was compelled by a “primal” and “medieval” desire for revenge when he had violent thoughts about killing a black person.

He said: “I had never felt this feeling before, which was a primal urge to lash out … After that there were some nights I went out deliberately into black areas in the city, looking to be set upon so that I could unleash physical violence.

“I did it four, maybe four or five times, until I caught myself and it really shocked me, this primal urge. It was shocking. It shocked me and it hurt me… I did seek help, I went to a priest.”

On Tuesday, Whoopi Goldberg, a friend of the Taken star, said on US talk show The View: “People walk around sometimes with rage, that’s what happens. Is he a bigot? No. I’ve known him a pretty long time, I think I would have recognised. I’ve been around a lot of real bigots. I can say this man is not one.”