James Corden blasted by victims for Harvey Weinstein gags

Late night host James Corden has apologised after delivering a series of off-colour jokes about Harvey Weinstein's sexual assault allegations at a black-tie event.

Tasked with emceeing the amfAR Gala, a fundraising event for HIV/AIDS research, Corden gave an opening monologue filled with pop culture gags and quips on current events - receiving raucous laughter in response.

But when he forayed into jokes on Harvey Weinstein, the reaction was notably less pleasant.

"Here in LA, it's a beautiful night. So beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage," he said, to a chorus of groans from the audience.

Taken aback by their response, Corden then told them to leave if they didn't enjoy the joke - before delivering two further quips on the allegations of sexual assault and harassment directed at Weinstein.

"It has been weird this week hasn't it, watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water. Ask any of the women who watched him take a bath, it's weird watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water," he said.

"Harvey Weinstein wanted to come tonight, but he'll settle for whatever potted plant is closest."

Both follow-up jokes only got small laughs, with his final one again getting an audibly bad response from those in attendance, prompting a desperate "Oh come on!" from Corden.

Cellphone footage of the jokes was shared on Twitter, where the negative reaction spread across the internet - including from Rose McGowan and Asia Argento, two of Weinstein's alleged victims.

McGowan has been very vocal in the aftermath of Weinstein's downfall, and described Corden as a "motherf**king piglet" for the jokes in a now-deleted tweet - while Argento said: "Shame on this pig and everyone who grunted with him."

Corden has since responded to the barrage of abuse he received in the wake of the event.

"To be clear, sexual assault is no laughing matter. I was not trying to make light of Harvey's inexcusable behaviour, but to shame him, the abuser, not his victims," he wrote.

"I am truly sorry for anyone offended, that was never my intention."

Newshub.