Game of Thrones actor Jason Momoa apologises for rape joke

Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa has apologised for joking about "raping beautiful women".

The comment was made in 2011 - but has resurfaced after the claims of sexual assault against Harvey Weinstein.

Speaking about his love of fantasy and sci-fi roles, he said he enjoyed being able to "rip someone's tongue out of their throat and get away with it, and rape beautiful women".

In an Instagram post, he's apologised for the "truly tasteless" comment.

The actor made the remark while speaking on a panel at Comic Con, when he was playing Kahl Drogo in Game of Thrones.

You can watch the video here.

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After making the rape comment, some of his fellow cast members put their heads in their hands. But there's also a lot of laughing from the crowd.

Six years on though, some of the reaction on Twitter is very different.

This tweet says "female fantasy fans wanted to believe you weren't typical male trash".

Meg says: "Everyone laughing IS rape culture."

Others have been quick to defend him though, pointing out the hypocrisy of criticising him.

"If you have a problem with him but not GOT, you're a hypocrite."

Following the backlash, Jason Momoa put out an apology on Instagram.

Jason Momoa's full statement where he says he is "severely disappointed" with himself.

The actor says he understands the "insensitivity" of his remarks but knows his "sincerest apology now won't take away those hurtful words".

"Rape and sexual harassment can reach anyone and I have seen first hand its painful torment among members of my own family and friends," he says.

Harvey Weinstein has strongly denied all claims of non-consensual sex made against him.

But the revelations have shone a light on the past behaviour of male stars.

As well as Jason Momoa having to apologise, Ben Affleck has also said sorry for "groping" MTV host Hilarie Burton in 2003.

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