US TV Network Executives Blast Washington 'F' Bomb

Latest: Executives at US TV network ABC have slammed Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington's use of a gay slur at the Golden Globe Awards as "unacceptable."

Washington stunned castmates in the press room at the awards show on Monday (January 15, 2007), when he insisted he never used the word "faggot" to describe gay co-star TR Knight during an on-set spat last year.

ABC issued a statement Thursday (January 18, 2007) saying, "We have a long-standing policy to create and maintain respectful workplaces for all our employees.

"We dealt with the original situation in October (2006), and thought the issue resolved. Therefore, we are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, that he himself deemed 'unfortunate' in his previous public apology.

"We take this situation very seriously, and his actions are unacceptable and are being addressed."

Knight told talk show host Ellen Degeneres on Tuesday, January 16, 2007, that he had, in fact, referred to him as a "faggot" during a scuffle with co-star Patrick Dempsey on the set last year.

Fans of the medical drama are also on the attack - in an internet petition, which was sent to ABC bosses yesterday (January 17, 2007) - over 8,000 viewers asked TV executives to fire Washington.