Date: 4th March 2002

Russell Crowe's Apology To TV Exec


Superstar actor RUSSELL CROWE has apologised for pinning a television executive against a wall after last week's BAFTAs. In an astonishing phone call to British Broadcasting Corporation man Malcolm Gerrie, 51, Insider, The (1999) star Crowe said he was sorry for his behaviour at last Sunday's (24th February 2002) event and promised to buy Gerrie a drink when he was next in London.

He then spoke to Gerrie's 12-year-old son Oliver for 15 minutes, letting him in on the secrets behind the making of Roman epic GLADIATOR (2000). At the BAFTAs - Britain's equivalent of the OSCARS - Crowe was left ranting and raving after Gerrie was forced to cut short the broadcast of his acceptance speech for his Best Actor award. He pinned Gerrie against a wall and called him a "f***ing piece of s***", then refused to back down when asked about his behaviour later in the week.

But in the phone call on Saturday morning (2nd March 2002), Crowe told Gerrie, "I'm ringing to say I'm so sorry about what happened. My language was excessive because I was livid but I behaved inappropriately. I was over-reacting because I felt passionately about it at the time. I understand your family have been door stepped by Australian television and I would like to know if there is anything I can do or say to make it up to them. "

Gerrie adds, "I told him I didn't get any satisfaction from the whole situation and if he wanted to make it up to any of the family he could speak to my son Oliver. "

Source: WENN