Former 'Grey's Anatomy' star Isaiah Washington has explained why he used a homophobic slur during an argument with co-star Patrick Dempsey.
In an interview on 'Larry King Live', Washington said that he had a dispute with Dempsey because he arrived late for filming.
Washington claims that it was the second time that Dempsey had arrived late and that he then wanted to wait for Ellen Pompeo to arrive before beginning shooting scenes for the show.
Washington said: "I said I don't need Ellen, I can act. And that was the moment that sent it into a different zone."
Washington said that Dempsey then became upset. "He became unhinged, sprayed spittle in my face. I'm asking him why is he screaming at me... He just becomes irate."
Washington then admitted that he said "a lot of things I'm not really proud of."
"I said several bad words. There's no way you're going to treat me like the B-word, the P-word or the F-word."
Washington said that the use of the word, which was later considered as a homophobic slur, was meant to mean "someone who is weak; someone who is not deserving of respect". He stressed that he was using the word to refer to himself and not any of his co-stars.
The actor denied that he ever directed the comments at their fellow co-star TR Knight, saying that he was "not homophobic – in no way, shape or form".
Washington then suggested that Knight may have used the comments to advance his career.
"He has been very disappointed in playing the character he has been playing. He told me that," Washington said.
When asked about repeating the comments backstage at the Golden Globes, the actor said: "I wish I could take that back."
Washington became emotional later in the interview when he was asked if any of his former co-stars had written to him since the incident. He said that Sandra Oh had emailed him.
The actor also revealed that he was surprised to be released from his 'Grey's Anatomy' contract after the incident.
"I expected something. I didn't know that it would happen. Because I resigned. I tried to resign twice," he said.
