Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze has defended actor Mel Gibson following his recent drink-drive arrest, during which he made derogatory remarks about Jews.
Swayze said Gibson should be allowed to have "a stupid moment"
"I feel really bad for Mel," said the 50-year-old, who insisted the Mad Max star was "not anti-Semitic".
"People say stupid things when they happen to have a few," he told GMTV.
"Hands deserved to be slapped if you do something stupid, but don't take it too far." Swayze is currently performing in Guys and Dolls in London's West End.
The actor, who appears alongside former Brookside regular Claire Sweeney in the musical, was forced to postpone his opening night after losing his voice.
Speaking to GMTV's Kate Garraway in a pre-recorded interview screened on Monday, Swayze said "a man [as] talented" as Gibson would bounce back from his current ignominy.
"You don't put somebody down like that," he said. "When you are a pitbull and you love what you do, that talent will find its way out."
Actress Jodie Foster has also spoken out in his defence
Swayze, who was reportedly considered for Gibson's role in the first Lethal Weapon film, said they had "been in each other's lives for a long time".
Gibson, he added, was "a wonderful human being" who should be "allowed to have a stupid moment".
Actress Jodie Foster has also backed the Braveheart director, telling the Los Angeles Times he was "honest, loyal [and] kind".
In a statement released last week, Gibson admitted making anti-Semitic remarks during his arrest on 28 July but insisted they did not reflect his true feelings.
He is expected to appear in court on drink-driving related charges on 28 September.