Zac Efron deletes & apologises for 'offensive' Martin Luther King Jr tweet

LOS ANGELES: Former "High School Musical" star Zac Efron has apologised for his tweet on African-American Civil Rights Movement leader Martin Luther King Jr's birthday that was blasted by many online users.

"I'm grateful for a couple things today: Martin Luther King Jr & 10 million followers on IG #MLKDay," read the tweet in question, a caption for a picture of the actor driving a convertible on January 18.

He added an index finger and a fist in darker tone.

The post angered some fans, who accused Efron of being "offensive" and "savage" among others, reported Aceshowbiz.

One of the users said:

@ZacEfron This is one of the most offensive/diminishing/disrespectful things anyone has said in relation to MLK today. Get over yourself.

— Aaron Horwitz (@AaronTheH) January 19, 2016

Someone also suggested that it should have been two separate posts. A harsher poster said Efron should even delete his Instagram account.

The tweet was up for several hours before Efron noticed the backlash and deleted the post the next afternoon.

The 28-year-old actor tweeted:

I have nothing but the greatest admiration & respect for MLK. My last post was insensitive & I apologize to anyone who I offended. So sorry.

— Zac Efron (@ZacEfron) January 19, 2016