SYDNEY — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologised on Monday for suggesting in a recent interview that he would "shag" pop star Kylie Minogue.
Albanese was asked to nominate which Australian entertainer he would "shag, marry, date" when appearing on a local comedy podcast last week.
"Oh, Kylie, clearly," he said after first trying to duck the question.
"You'd marry Kylie, shag her, and date her?" podcast host Nikki Osborne responded.
Albanese replied: "All of the above."
The comments were swiftly condemned, with one Australian lawmaker describing them as a "disrespectful" lapse of judgement.
Facing mounting criticism, Albanese apologized in a statement issued through his office.
"I apologize unequivocally for the comments," he said.
Australia's widely beloved "Princess of Pop", Minogue shot to fame in local soap "Neighbors" before embarking on a successful music career.