Jamie Foxx performs 'Wish U Were Here' at the 2006 American Music Awards on November 21 in Los Angeles. Foxx won the award for favourite male artist in the soul/rhythm & blues category.

Jamie Foxx has angered Oprah Winfrey by taking a swipe at her close relationship with friend Gayle King.

The Oscar-winning actor made a reference to rumours about a lesbian relationship between the two women - which both have strongly refuted - during a show honouring Will Smith on Sunday.

According to Fox News, the Miami Vice star said: "Will, I was talking about you the other day. I was laying in bed with Oprah, and I turned over to Gayle and I said, 'You know what?...'"

The roars of laughter from the audience - which included Will's wife Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Eva Mendes, Chevy Chase and Thandie Newton, reportedly made the punch line inaudible.

Foxx insists the quip was made without malice and hopes TV network Bravo will cut the joke from its broadcast.

Smith - who is currently starring in The Pursuit of Happiness with his son Jaden - was being toasted by the American Museum of the Moving Image.