Mel Gibson says he felt like sending a note to Michael Richards

Gibson, who apologised for making anti-Semitic remarks made after a drink driving incident in July said Richards was "obviously in a state of stress".

"They'll probably torture him for a while and then let him go. I like him," added the 50-year-old film director.

Richards has since apologised for making the racist remarks.

Appearing on the Reverend Jesse Jackson's radio show on Sunday, Richards said he had never used racist language and the outburst was provoked by "humiliation".

He has since started anger management classes.

'No great poo-bah'

Gibson who admits he thought about sending the 57-year-old comic a note said: "You don't need to be inebriated to be bent out of shape. But my heart went out to the guy."

Since his rant at police officers in California, he claims Hollywood has forgiven him.

"There is no great pooh-bah up there saying, "Go! You are condemned"," he said.

Gibson, whose new movie Apocalypto opens in the UK in January, insists he is not anti-Semitic.

"I never have been and never would be."

Despite the controversy, Gibson is confident his film will not be affected at the box office.