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What Robert Downey Jr has to say about *that* interview

What Robert Downey Jr has to say about *that* interview

Robert Downey Jr has spoken out about his controversial Channel 4 News interview walkout, labelling journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy a "syphilitic parasite" who asks "weirdo s--t".

Speaking on America's Howard Stern radio show, Downey Jr said Guru-Murthy's questions about his drug addict past and time in prison were inappropriate as he was promoting a "superhero movie".

I’m one of those guys who is assuming the social decorum is in play and that we’re promoting a superhero movie, a lot of kids are going to see it. This has nothing to do with your creepy, dark agenda that I’m feeling, like, all of a sudden ashamed and obligated to accommodate your weirdo s--t.

Downey Jr added that he regretted not walking out sooner and criticised actors being "scrutinised like a kiddie fiddler who’s running for mayor".

What I have to do in the future is... give myself permission to say ‘that is more than likely a syphilitic parasite, and I need to distance myself from this clown'. Otherwise, I’m probably going to put hands on somebody, and then there’s a real story.

While Guru-Murthy hasn't responded directly to those comments he also discussed the interview in a Reddit AMA on Tuesday, saying "celeb tantrums.. are about the least interesting thing in my life".

I don't think this episode has any significant impact at all. It is all just showbiz ephemera. Celeb interviews form a very small part of what I do and are by far the least important.

  • Krishnan Guru-Murthy

As for his motivation for asking Downey Jr those questions? Guru-Murthy said: "My rationale was to get him talking about the stuff that makes his stardom all the more admirable."

More: Robert Downey Jr walks out of nail-bitingly awkward Channel 4 News interview

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