Terminator - Christian Bale Apologises For 'Inexcusable' On-Set Rant

Terminator Salvation actor Christian Bale has apologised for berating a crew member on the set of the science fiction sequel.

The British star used the F-word more than 30 times during a four-minute rant at Shane Hulburt after the director of photography walked into his eye-line during a scene.

The recording was leaked online this week and though Hulburt and the film's producers have leapt to Bale's defence, the 35-year-old admitted he "acted like a punk".

"I was out of order beyond belief. I make no excuses for it," he told Los Angeles radio station KROQ.

Bale's apology comes after the BBC Breakfast mistakenly played an unedited clip of the expletive-filled tirade.

Seconds after presenter Charlie Stayt warned viewers to "block their ears" the British actor was heard screaming "you don't f***ing understand" before the clip was quickly pulled.

Speaking to KROQ disc jockeys Kevin Ryder and Gene 'Bean' Baxter, Bale expressed his regret for his "incredibly embarrassing meltdown".

"The thing that disturbs me so much is that I've heard a lot of people saying that I seem to think that I'm better than anybody else," he added.

"Nothing could be further from the truth. I am a very lucky and that is why I put so much into what I do, and why I care so much about it and why sometimes my enthusiasm just goes awry."

While the clip features Bale telling Hulpurt they are "done professionally", the actor said he and the cinematographer had reconciled since the July 2008 incident.

"I've not only talked with him, we have resolved this completely," he added.

"That very day we kept working for a number of hours. And we worked together for at least a month after that. There is no problem whatsoever.

"I've seen a rough cut of the movie and he has done a wonderful job. It looks fantastic."