Richard Madeley calls Chris Rock 'most unpleasant person' he's interviewed following Oscars controversy

Richard Madeley called Chris Rock "the most unpleasant person" he's ever interviewed on Monday as he discussed the comedian being slapped by Will Smith during the 2022 Oscars.

During the ceremony on Sunday, Chris made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's hair loss and Will walked onto the stage, slapped him and warned him not to mention his wife's name again.

Discussing the controversy on Good Morning Britain on Monday, Richard told co-host Susanna Reid that he doesn't condone Will's actions but does not like Chris.

"I was asked by GQ Magazine some years ago who was the most unpleasant person I've ever interviewed of my entire career, and that goes back to 1972 when I started in local newspapers, and I said, without hesitation - it's on the record - Chris Rock," he commented.

Watch: Will Smith smacks Chris Rock on stage at Oscars

Richard went on to explain that he and his wife Judy Finnigan did a pre-recorded interview with Chris and Ben Stiller for the 2005 animation Madagascar and revealed they would have "abandoned" the interview if it was live.

"He was the most unpleasant, rude, aggressive, unlikeable human being I've ever interviewed on camera, without question," he continued. "We edited around all the difficult bits and the interview that went out looked all right but actually his behaviour was awful. In my book, he's the most unpleasant celebrity I've ever had the misfortune to meet.. but I wouldn't have punched him."

The presenter later added that the slap "was wrong" but he understood where the actor was coming from, stating, "If Judy had alopecia and someone used her condition as material, I'm not sure what I'd do."

Will apologised for his behaviour when he accepted the Best Actor Oscar for King Richard.