Magician contrite for slurs on gays, Jews

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 14 (UPI) -- Swedish magician Joe Labero apologized for comments he made about gays and Jews, calling his remarks "stupid, gormless and badly thought through."

In a Kupe magazine interview, Labero said it was difficult for a "blond Swedish Viking" to be recognized in Las Vegas, which he said was controlled by "Jewish business syndicates, American dollar millionaires and homosexual booking agents," The Local reported Monday.

The comments prompted criticism from the Swedish media. On Sunday, in an Expressen interview, the magician asked "everyone I hurt for forgiveness."

He said he usually reads through an interview before it is published but did not do so with the Kupe article.

"This was a big mistake on my part. To be honest, I don't understand why I did what I did," Labero said. "Looking at it afterward in print it's incomprehensible."