Liam Neeson has admitted he shocked himself with violent urges, saying that he sought help and is not racist.

Yesterday, an interview was published in which the Northern Irish star admitted to hoping to carry out a racially-motivated revenge attack after a friend was raped.

He told The Independent newspaper: "My immediate reaction was... I asked, did she know who it was? No. What colour were they? She said it was a black person.

"I went up and down areas with a cosh, hoping I'd be approached by somebody - I'm ashamed to say that - and I did it for maybe a week, hoping some 'black b******' would come out of a pub and have a go at me about something, you know?"

He added: "It was horrible, horrible, when I think back, that I did that."

The comments have prompted a global outcry - with many expressing disgust, and others defending his honesty.

"Primal urge"

Speaking on Good Morning America today, Neeson further clarified his comments - saying "luckily no violence occurred".

He explained: "I went out deliberately into black areas in this city, looking to be set upon so that I could unleash physical violence. I did it I'd say four or five times... until I caught myself on.

"It really shocked me, this primal urge I had. It shocked me and it hurt me."

He admitted to seeking help following his thoughts of violence - saying he talked to both a priest and two good friends about his urges.

He added: "Believe it or not, power-walking... two hours every day... [helped] get rid of this. I'm not racist - this was nearly 40 years ago."

The actor explained that he was brought up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles - saying he was surrounded by violence and bigotry, but was "never part of it".