The Ulster-born presenter called a controversial Premiership football star a "c**t" and also used the f-word when ridiculing pop star Mariah Carey.

He told the Belfast Telegraph yesterday he had no comment to make on his outspoken interview with Maxim magazine.

But he did say: "It's definitely not misquoting me."

Asked about his use of the obscene c-word, Holmes retorted: "And what - you're not supposed to use it?"

During the light-hearted interview for Maxim's October edition, Manchester United fan Holmes was asked for his views on football 'bad boy' Joey Barton.

The Sky and Radio Five Live presenter said: "C**t. What is Joey Barton about? He's an absolute animal."

The cuddly presenter of ITV's This Morning and Sky's Sunrise said of Barton (pictured right): "He's the type of guy who'd eat his own young; he'd start a fight in an empty room.

"If Vinnie Jones came up behind me I'd think, 'c**t!', but I'd be scared of him.

"If Joey Barton did, I'd just think, 'Shut up!' He's an irritant."

In reply to the question, "Who's been your worst interviewee?", Holmes told the magazine: "There are lots of people who you just think, 'What's the point?'

"Mariah Carey sent one of her flunkies to say that she was tired and was going to lie down.

"I was like, 'She's f***ing tired? She should've been up from four o'clock this morning! If she's going to lie down, then I'll lie down with her!'"

Barton's football career has been blighted by a series of violent incidents, most recently in May when he was involved in a training ground clash with Ousmane Dabo. Barton was subsequently arrested and has since appeared in court, where he pleaded not guilty to assault.

Both Newcastle United and Barton's agent had no comment to make when contacted yesterday.