Dame Angela Lansbury was criticised by many people the other day for her comments relating to the recent spate of sexual assault allegations.

The 92-year-old actress told the Radio Times that "We must sometimes take the blame, women", a comment that was regarded by some as victim-blaming.

Now, however, she has responded to the criticism and claimed that her comments were taken out of context.

In a statement, the Murder, She Wrote star said: "There is no excuse whatsoever for men to harass women in an abusive sexual manner. I am devastated that anyone should deem me capable of thinking otherwise. Those who have known the quality of my work and the many public statements I have made over the course of my life, must know, that I am a strong supporter of women’s rights."

She added: "Lastly, I would like to add that I am troubled by how quickly and brutishly some have taken my comments out of context and attempted to blame my generation, my age, or my mindset, without having read the entirety of what I said.”