Jane Lynch has come to the defence of Brett Ratner who stepped down last week as producer of next year's Academy Awards.

The Hollywood filmmaker caused a furor after his use of a homophobic slur was caught on tape during a Q&A session for his new movie Tower Heist.

Brett has since apologised for his choice of words and spoken of his disappointment at not being able to do the job that he was looking forward to undertaking.

But the openly lesbian Glee star, who hosted this year's Emmy Awards, says that she wasn't offended by Brett's words and he shouldn't have resigned.

"I feel bad for him," Jane told E! Online at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's 40th anniversary gala over the weekend. "I wasn't offended. I'm OK."

"I think humour is such a personal thing and you put a microphone in somebody's face, they're going to say something that offends somebody."

Soon after Brett confirmed he was not going to produce the Oscars anymore, his choice of host Eddie Murphy also pulled the plug.

Brian Grazer has now stepped in to produce while hosting veteran Billy Crystal will take on the reigns of master of ceremonies for the special event.