Actor Brian Cox unleashed a shocking tirade against Donald Trump on Channel 4's The Last Leg, repeatedly calling the US president a "c***" during Friday night's live broadcast.
The Succession star's outburst forced host Adam Hills to issue multiple apologies throughout the programme.
The incident occurred when Hills, 54, asked Cox about his thoughts on Trump's presidency, leading to an immediate expletive-laden response from the 78-year-old Scottish actor.
As the audience erupted in laughter, Hills quickly covered his face with both hands and apologised to viewers.
Co-host Alex Brooker remarked: "I knew that apology was coming!"
Fellow guest Michelle Wolf noted that producers had specifically warned her not to use that particular word, adding: "I'm so glad you said it."
The Last Leg: Brian Cox sparked a fiery debate among C4 viewers with his Trump comments
CHANNEL 4
Cox doubled down on his initial outburst, declaring: "Well they never told me what to say. I would have been happy not to say it but if somebody doesn't call him a c***..."
When asked if he feared retaliation from Trump supporters, the Braveheart actor was defiant.
"Me? I'm not going back to America, for that very reason. No, I mean, they're all idiots anyway," Cox stated.
The actor's criticism continued after the commercial break when discussing his former Succession co-star Jeremy Strong's new film.
"Of course I didn't see The Apprentice because I wouldn't watch anything about that c*** I mentioned earlier," Cox remarked, prompting Hills to issue yet another apology to viewers.
Each use of the expletive required the host to address the camera with apologies, at one point suggesting: "Let's just assume I'm apologising for all of these."
During and after the scenes aired on Friday evening, social media has been awash with both fury and praise from opposing members of the public.
One viewer took to X to slam the Succession star's choice of language: "Brian Cox is a brilliant actor but his use of profanities on a woke show to gain some popularity is bordering on narcissistic."
"Brian Cox, a self-professed socialist, appearing on a socialist, woke show where two of the presenters called Josh and Alex provide canned laughter in case the audience don't find the woke jokes funny. #TheLastLeg," a second raged.
"This is the pathetic level of... UK humour," a third critic hit out before a fourth weighed in: "Brian Cox should stick to acting. He knows nothing about what its like to be working class."
However, several Channel 4 viewers were quick to applaud Cox for his no-holds-barred assessment of the US President, with one fan sharing a series of applause emojis with the message: "Well said Brian."
And another support typed: "#thelastleg Brian Cox the best part of the show lol." (sic)
The controversial segment quickly became one of the most discussed moments from Friday night's broadcast of the Channel 4 show.
Cox has been increasingly vocal about his concerns regarding Trump's presidency and its impact on American society.
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The Last Leg's Adam Hills had to apologise for Brian Cox's comments
CHANNEL 4
Speaking to the Guardian recently, the actor expressed his views on Trump's re-election, stating: "No, it doesn't make me lose faith in people. It just makes me realise people are stupid."
The Dundee-born actor has declared his intention to spend more time in the UK following Trump's victory over Kamala Harris in November.
In a recent appearance on Good Morning Britain, Cox expressed particular concern about women's rights in America under Trump's leadership.
"The thing that worries me more than anything else is how women are being treated, how the women are being marginalised in America," he said.
When presenter Richard Madeley pointed out that women voted for Trump in large numbers, Cox responded: "Well, they do! And that's the problem, they don't realise. It's the lack of awareness that baffles me."
