Roseanne's TV show cancelled after Twitter race row

Comedian Barr, who is best known for starring in the American sitcom Roseanne, said in a now deleted tweet: “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj”.

The actress, 65, on Tuesday used Valerie Jarrett’s initials in her reply to a tweet which accused Ms Jarrett of being involved in an Obama administration cover-up.

ABC Entertainment’s president said the network has decided to cancel the reboot of her show.

“Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show,” read a statement from Channing Dungey.

Barr, an outspoken supporter of President Trump, went on to tweet an apology following an online backlash accusing her of racism.

The Muslim Brotherhood is an Islamist organisation and Planet of the Apes is a movie in which intelligent apes battle humans for control.

“I apologize to Valerie Jarrett and to all Americans. I am truly sorry for making a bad joke about her politics and her looks. I should have known better. Forgive me-my joke was in bad taste,” she said.

She also tweeted that she was quitting the social media platform, writing: “I apologize. I am now leaving Twitter.”

The backtrack was not enough for her colleague Wanda Sykes, however. The consulting producer on Roseanne tweeted that she would not be returning to the show.

Earlier on Tuesday, Barr retweeted a post in support of Tommy Robinson, the right-wing activist and former leader of the English Defence League.

“Democracy dies in silence. The Sun doesn’t shine anymore. #FreeTommyRobinson,” the post read, which included a link to the tabloid newspaper The Sun’s website.

Robinson on Tuesday was jailed for 13 months after flouting court orders for a second time.