Brett Ratner, director of the Rush Hour trilogy, has resigned as co-producer of next year's Academy Awards ceremony in the wake of offensive comments he has made recently in the press.

While promoting his latest film, Tower Heist, Ratner has illuminated us with everything from revelations about his sexual history to jokes about the rehearsal process: "Rehearsal? What's that? Rehearsal's for fags. Rehearsal. Not much." The reasonable anger that has emanated as a result of his comments has prompted Ratner to step down from his Oscar duties and release an apology, which included the section below.

"Over the last few days, I've gotten a well-deserved earful from many of the people I admire most in this industry expressing their outrage and disappointment over the hurtful and stupid things I said in a number of recent media appearances. To them, and to everyone I've hurt and offended, I'd like to apologize publicly and unreservedly."

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is yet to comment on what this will mean for Tower Heist star Eddie Murphy's status as host of the ceremony.