Neil Patrick Harris issues an apology after Amy Winehouse death joke resurfaces

The How I Met Your Mother star faced backlash over an old Twitter post, revealed by BuzzFeed, which shows a photo taken at a party held at his home. The actor and his husband, David Butka, were allegedly hosting the party in 2001, and presented a buffet platter made to look like the corpse of the singer, Amy Winehouse.

The shocking platter was served up only three months after Winehouse had passed in July, 2011. The multi Grammy award winning artist had suffered from addiction issues throughout her life and died due to alcohol intoxication, aged 27. In 2015 the Biopic Amy was released and detailed the tragedy of Winehouse’s addiction. The film, directed by Asif Kapadia, went on to win an Academy Award for Best Documentary.  

In a statement issued to Entertainment Weekly, Harris said: “A photo recently resurfaced from a Halloween-themed party my husband and I hosted 11 years ago. It was regrettable then, and it remains regrettable now. Amy Winehouse was a once-in-a-generation talent, and I’m sorry for any hurt this image caused.”

Winehouse released two albums throughout her career, 2003’s Frank and 2006’s Back To Black both of which received outstanding critical acclaim. Additionally, In 2011 a posthumous compilation was released titled Lioness: Hidden Treasures.

Following Winehouse’s death, her mother, Janis Winehouse launched the Amy Winehouse Foundation which aims to help young people suffering with addiction.