Socialite PARIS HILTON has issued a grovelling apology for her controversial comments about AIDS, insisting, "I wish I could take back every word."

Hilton was recorded discussing homosexuals, HIV, and gay social networking website Grindr with a friend during a cab journey in New York earlier this month (Sep12).

During the conversation, Hilton was heard saying, "Gay guys are the horniest people in the word... Most of them probably have AIDS... I would be so scared if I was a gay guy... you'll, like, die of AIDS."

Hilton has now spoken out to apologize for the scandal, telling the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), "I am so sorry and so upset that I caused pain to my gay friends, fans and their families with the comments heard this morning.

"I was having this private conversation with a friend of mine who is gay and our conversation was in no way towards the entire gay community. It is the last thing that I would ever want to do and I cannot put into words how much I wish I could take back every word.

"Gay people are the strongest and most inspiring people I know... Again, I am so sorry from the bottom of my heart and I feel absolutely horrible. I hope that everyone can accept my apology and know that it is not who I am or how I feel in any way."