MUMBAI: Chance the Rapper has called on HBO to cancel Bill Maher's show for using the n-word.

Comedian and host Bill Maher had said the word during an interview with a Republican senator on "Real Time With Bill Maher" on Friday and immediately then told the audience it was a joke.

This started trending on Twitter and many called for HBO to fire him, reports eonline.com.

"Please @HBO Do Not Air Another Episode Of Real Time With Bill Maher," Chance the Rapper wrote on Saturday in a tweet that has been retweeted more than 6,500 times.

Maher, who also hosted the late-night talk show "Politically Incorrect", has not responded to the backlash.

HBO said in a statement that the host's remark "was completely inexcusable and tasteless".

"We are removing his deeply offensive comment from any subsequent airings of the show," the cable network added.

Maher has already apologised.

"The word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry," Maher said in a statement, reported bbc.com.

Some have defended Maher.

"Just saw @billmaher 'racist joke' and I have to say...f--k everybody who's pissed," tweeted fellow comic and former ‘Titus’ star Christopher Titus. "Comedians save us, jokes. Politicians kill us. Wars, laws."

(Source: IANS)