Shia LaBeouf has apologised for using the word "faggot" to describe a pal in a boozy YouTube.com video.

The Indiana Jones + The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull star says he's "embarrassed" by the online footage, which first surfaced on Monday.

The clip, in which the actor challenges a pal to slap him around the face, has since been pulled from the website.

A spokesman for LaBeouf tells Eonline.com, "The video tape that is currently being circulated is several years old and captures Shia playing a game amongst friends in which he uses a derogatory word towards a friend.

"He regrets having used the word in any capacity and is very embarrassed that this footage is being seen by anyone."

The video is just the latest embarrassing incident for LaBeouf - he was arrested last year for refusing requests to leave a drugstore in Chicago, Illinois and an arrest warrant was issued for him in March after he was accused of failing to turn up to court to face a charge of smoking in a prohibited area in California.

The trespassing charges were dropped and LaBeouf pleaded guilty to the illegal smoking charges and was ordered to pay a $500 fine.