KEY POINTS:
LOS ANGELES - Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington yesterday started counselling after a furore over a gay slur he directed against a fellow cast member on the hit television hospital drama.
Washington, who earlier this week met gay and lesbian groups in Los Angeles, said in a statement he had begun counselling "as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again."
"I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity and I remain committed to transforming my negative actions into positive results, personally and professionally," the actor added.
Washington, who plays Dr. Preston Burke on the ABC show that won a Golden Globe last week for best television drama, sparked controversy after a heated on-set argument late last year in which he reportedly called actor T.R. Knight a "faggot".
Knight came out as gay in a public announcement shortly afterward and last week confirmed what Washington had said -- and initially denied.
Shonda Rhimes, executive producer of Grey's Anatomy, said the network and show producers had been working to address what she called Washington's "behavioural issues."
"I speak for all the executive producers here at Grey's Anatomy when I say that Isaiah Washington's use of such a disturbing word was a shocking and dismaying event...," Rhimes said in a statement.
ABC television yesterday declined comment on a report that Washington had entered a residential facility for his counselling and would not comment on whether production on the show would be affected.
Grey's Anatomy -- a tale of surgical interns at a fictional hospital in Seattle -- averages 18.8 million viewers a week and ranks as third-most watched scripted show on US television this season.
- REUTERS/Nielsen
