Chris Rock has spoken about being smacked in the face by actor Will Smith on the Academy Awards stage.

During the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles in March last year, Smith walked on to the stage and slapped Rock, who had made a joke at the expense of the actor’s wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, as he was about to present an award.

Rock’s joke had made a reference to the 1997 film GI Jane, in which actress Demi Moore shaved her head.

It is still unclear whether the comedian was aware that Pinkett Smith has alopecia, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss, when he made the remark.

Speaking on Saturday on a Netflix live-streamed special Chris Rock: Selective Outrage, Rock said he “took that hit like (former Filipino boxer) Pacquiao”.

He added: “You know what people say, they always say ‘words hurt’.

“That’s what they say.

Slaps on stage and WAGS in court – the 12 most shocking celebrity moments of the year

Chris Rock says he turned down hosting Oscars again ‘in joke about OJ Simpson murder trial’

Chris Rock quips about Will ‘Suge’ Smith on stage – but ignores actor’s video apology

“You’ve got to watch what you say.

“Because words hurt, you know.

“Anybody that says words hurt has never been punched in the face.”

Smith has apologised repeatedly for the incident.

Related posts:

Short story removed from David Walliams book after criticism over racial stereotyping Ed Sheeran awarded more than £900k in legal fees after Shape Of You copyright win Paddy and Christine McGuinness announce split after 11 years of marriage Declan Donnelly announces birth of baby boy – and guess what his middle name is… Mel B says Spice Girls cried at news of her engagement Jimmy Kimmel announced as next Oscars host – and will be ‘ready for anything’ Matt Hancock to enter I’m A Celebrity… jungle later today Sky News presenter Trevor Phillips is knighted Prince Harry reveals how he and Meghan met Peter Kay announces extra dates to already huge tour ‘You weren’t expecting this’: Elon Musk booed at Dave Chappelle gig ‘Mom is gone’: Cher’s mother, actress and singer Georgia Holt dies