BREAKING. MSNBC suspends Alec Baldwin's talk show, Up Late, temporarily, after his derogatory outburst at paparazzi.

MSNBC (TopTV 410) has suspended Alec Baldwin's talk show Up Late temporarily and the show which was not broadcast Friday night will also not be broadcast next Friday, following derogatory comments Alec Baldwin made to paparazzi this week following a court appearance.

Up Late with Alec Baldwin is seen on MSNBC on TopTV in South Africa on Saturday mornings at 05:00.

In a statement on MSNBC's website Alec Baldwin says "I did not intend to hurt or offend anyone with my choice of words, but clearly I have – and for that I am deeply sorry."

"Words are important. I understand that, and will choose mine with great care going forward. What I said and did this week, as I was trying to protect my family, was offensive and unacceptable. Behavior like this undermines hard-fought rights that I vigorously support."

"I understand Up Late will be taken off the schedule for tonight and next week. I want to apologize to my loyal fans and to my colleagues at MSNBC – both for my actions and for distracting from their good work. Again, please accept my apology."

On Thursday tabloid website TMZ published a video showing the often combative Alec Baldwin hurling gay slurs at a paparazzi photographer who had been in a confrontation with Baldwin.

MSNBC says Up Late will return to the schedule on 29 November.