Canadian singer Bryan Adams has said sorry after receiving backlash for an expletive-laden rant about the origins of coronavirus that was dubbed racist online.
On Tuesday, Adams wrote a lengthy Instagram caption complaining that his scheduled tenancy gigs at the Royal Albert Hall had to be cancelled, referencing several unconfirmed theories about the origins of COVID-19.
"Thanks to some f**king bat eating, wet market animal selling, virus making greedy bastards, the whole world is now on hold, not to mention the thousands that have suffered or died from this virus," he wrote.
"My message to them other than 'thanks a f**king lot' is: 'Go vegan'."
The 60-year-old's message soon prompted outrage online, where fans expressed their disappointment.
"Ummm I was today years old when I became a non-fan of yours! Do better," one wrote.
In Adams' latest post he apologised to "any and all that took offence" to the comments.
"No excuse, I just wanted to have a rant about the horrible animal cruelty in these wet markets being the possible source of the virus, and promote veganism," he wrote.
"I have love for all people and my thoughts are with everyone dealing with this pandemic around the world."
Still, the Grammy winner has not yet deleted the original post, which the president of the Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice called "irresponsible".
"Just so, so, so, so racist," Amy Go told CBC News. "People look up to public figures. He is seen as an idol by many."
