Joan Rivers slaps fellow comedian Kathy Griffin across the face in mock outrage at how she hosted her TV comedy roast.

As Roast Master, Griffin had introduced Rivers, 76, as a “legendary bitch”, adding: “Joan has got the biggest and maybe hairiest balls in this room.”

When it was her turn to speak at the end, Rivers - having downed two glasses of wine - immediately slapped Griffin, screaming “b***h! F**k you!” and continuing the mock anger at the other comedians at the event.

“I am disgusted and I am appalled by what I have witnessed here tonight,” she said, complaining at the “filth” making her “embarrassed at my profession”.

She added: “I was going to make an announcement that I was going to retire. This was going to be it for me. I was just going to sit back. But after tonight’s show - no. No. I can’t leave comedy in the hands of these untalented people. Comedy - and I say this with humility - comedy needs me.”