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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Rebecca Day

Will Smith banned for 10 years from Oscars following slap - reports

Will Smith has been banned from the Oscars and other Academy events for 10 years after slapping Chris Rock. The decision was made following a meeting held by The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Science, the BBC reports.

In a statement, the Academy said the Oscars had been "overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behaviour we saw Mr Smith exhibit on stage", according to the BBC. Smith had previously apologised for the incident and resigned from the Academy. The actor came on stage and hit the comedian after he made a joke about his wife's shaved head. Jada Pinkett Smith's hair is shaved as a result of the hair loss condition alopecia.

Will later apologised to the Academy when he picked up the Best Actor Award for his role in King Richard.

Mr Smith took to social media and issued an apology on his Instagram account, which was also posted on his Facebook page. Mr Smith wrote: "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.

"I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”

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