London, November 19 British comedian Ben Elton has apologised for his foul-mouthed tirade against the Royal Family.

The 50-year-old sparked outrage as he described the Queen as "a sad little old lady", her husband Prince Philip "a mad old bigot who wishes it was still the war" while appearing on Australian TV show Good News Week.

Elton went on to call Prince Charles a disillusioned ex-hippy, Prince Andrew a bit of a yob, and revived controversy about whether Prince Edward was gay.

His spokesman has now issued a statement, insisting the comic intended no offence.

"Ben Elton apologises for any offence which may have been caused. The quotes have been taken entirely out of context," the Daily Star quoted the rep as saying.

"He was making a joke about Australian republicanism, showing that the Queen and her family were more reflective of the modern rainbow population," the rep added. (ANI)