The Night Manager actor blames nerves after social media criticism of his tribute to the work of Médecins Sans Frontières in South Sudan

Tom Hiddleston, star of High-Rise and The Night Manager, has apologised for his poorly received speech at the Golden Globe awards on Sunday.

Hiddleston had won the award for best actor in a miniseries or TV movie for the John le Carré adaptation The Night Manager and seemingly tried the audience’s patience with a convoluted tribute to the work of Médecins Sans Frontières in South Sudan.

However, the reaction on social media was largely negative. It was suggested that Hiddleston’s reference to an encounter he had with doctors and nurses in South Sudan who had binge-watched The Night Manager was a classic example of the “humblebrag”. As a result, he posted an apology on Facebook on Monday, saying he was “very nervous” and his words “just came out wrong”.

The full text ran: “I just wanted to say … I completely agree that my speech at the Golden Globes last night was inelegantly expressed. In truth, I was very nervous, and my words just came out wrong. Sincerely, my only intention was to salute the incredible bravery and courage of the men and women who work so tirelessly for UNICEF UK, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and World Food Programme, and the children of South Sudan, who continue to find hope and joy in the most difficult conditions. I apologise that my nerves got the better of me.”