Former British chat show host Michael Parkinson has offered an apology to When Harry Met Sally actress Meg Ryan over a painfully awkward interview which took place back in 2003.

Considered the most uncomfortable interview of his long career, Ryan gave one-word answers to most of Parkinson's questions, eventually suggesting to Parkinson that he "wrap it up" when asked what he should do to ease the tension.

"I wish I hadn’t lost my temper with Meg Ryan," Parkinson told Radio Times. "I wish I’d dealt with it in a more courteous manner. I was quite obviously angry with her and it’s not my business to be angry towards the guests. I came across as kind of pompous and I could have done better."

Although apologising when asked what he would say to her now, the BBC host still said he felt Ryan was partly at fault for the car crash interview.

"I’m sorry. But you must understand that you played a part in it, too. Neither of us were on top form, and we were both discomforted."

Since the show aired, the two have often thrown barbs at each other when asked about the piece.

Ryan told The Scotsman in 2006 that Parkinson was a "nut" and acted like a "disapproving parent" over nudity she had done in recent films.

"He said something like: 'You should go back to doing what you were doing'. And I thought, are you like a disapproving dad right now? I'm not even related to you. Back off, buddy. I was so offended by him."

Revisit a clip from the interview below: