Just when Charlie Sheen was starting to redeem himself and repair his damaged reputation, he decided to inexplicably launch into an insulting tirade against the audience gathered to see him at the opening of his new bar in Los Angeles. He’d barely opened his mouth before he unleashed a homophobic slur, calling the gathered throng a bunch of “fa***t a**holes.” Way to go to thank people for supporting your new venture, there Charlie.

As Sheen took to the stage, he appeared to be channelling the spirit of Bill Hicks, switching his voice to a low growl. The difference, of course, is that Hicks was actually funny. Unlike Sheen, who, once he had the microphone, greeted the crowd by saying “How we doing?” and then when the crowd did not respond enthusiastically enough for his liking, he growled “whining bunch of fa***t a**holes, how we doing?” He then went on to welcome them all to Sheenz, “with a z” and then telling them all that they suck. The crowd at Sheenz – part of the ultra-hip El Ganzo hotel, included the mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa.

Sheen’s defence, according to TMZ, was “I meant no ill will and intended to hurt no one and I apologize if I offended anyone.” Somewhat less believably, he also told them “I meant to say maggot but I have a lisp.”