Coronation Street's Marc Anwar being investigated by police over 'racially offensive' tweets

Coronation Street actor Marc Anwar is being investigated by police after he posted a string of “racially offensive” tweets.

Anwar, 60 – who plays Sharif Nazir in the ITV soap – was sacked after show bosses were made aware of his comments about Indian people.

The Pakistani born actor apologised, saying: "I am absolutely disgusted with myself, and unreservedly apologise to anybody that has been affected."

Greater Manchester police confirmed on Monday that they had received reports of a hate crime.

A spokesperson said: “On Sunday 25 September, 2016 police received a report of a hate crime.

“Police have launched an investigation and inquiries are ongoing.”

Anwar appeared to refer to Indian people as “b*******” and “p***-drinking c****”, and called for Pakistani actors to stop working in the country.

His comments came after the Indian army said it killed a militant in a gunfight in Kashmir which is claimed by both India and Pakistan.

Following the publication of his tweets he was sacked from Coronation Street with “immediate effect”.

In a statement, ITV said: "We are deeply shocked by the entirely unacceptable, racially offensive comments made on Twitter by Marc Anwar.

"We have talked to Marc and, as a consequence of his comments, he will not be returning to Coronation Street with immediate effect."

Anwar posted a video apology on YouTube and said his “moment of madness” was caused by seeing footage of the dead in Kashmir.

Speaking to the camera he said: “I would like to offer my sincerest apologies to anyone that I may have offended with my tweets on Friday evening and especially people from India.

“This was never my intention and the language was unacceptable. I feel that I have let a lot of people down, my family, my friends and my former colleagues.

“This I again very sincerely apologise for.”

“On Friday evening I saw, on the news, children being pulled out of rubble, people being pelted with pellets, women mourning their dead in Kashmir.

“This upset me very deeply and in a moment of madness I ranted out. I vented my anger.”

He finished: “Again, the language that I used, I sincerely apologise for. But my feelings were very sincere for the people of Kashmir. And I hope that everyone that I have offended can find it in their hearts to forgive me.”

Anwar joined the soap in 2014 as part of the show’s first ever Muslim family.

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