Emilia Clarke has received an apology through a spokesperson for Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany, after he received backlash for calling her a ‘short and dumpy girl’ on Tuesday.

Following his controversial speech during the premiere of HBO’s highly-anticipated series House of the Dragon, Foxtel’s representative explained the controversial joke was intended to be ‘self-deprecating.’

‘The aim was to convey that for him, Games of Thrones was something very different for television in 2011 and that Emilia Clarke went from relatively unknown to one of the most recognized and most-loved actors in television and film,’ the spokesperson explained.

He continued: ‘On behalf of Mr. Delany, the Foxtel Group apologies if his remarks were misunderstood and caused any offense.’

On Tuesday, Delany raised eyebrows for his comments about the star, 35, who is best known for portraying Daenerys Targaryen on the popular drama Game of Thrones.

‘I was like, ‘What’s this show with the short, dumpy girl walking into the fire?” he said according to Crikey while recalling the famous scene in season one where Daenerys steps inside a burning temple.

‘There was a bit of a gasp’ according to an attendee after Delany made the comment while another said the crowd was ‘obviously shocked’.

Foxtel, owned by News Corp, has since issued a grovelling apology on behalf of Delany, who has been CEO and one of the company’s top executives since January 2018.

House of the Dragon focuses on House Targaryen and their reign in Westeros.

Emilia will not be reprising her role as Daenerys in the ten-part series as it is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones.

Joining the cast is Packed To The Rafters star Ryan Corr and fellow Australian actor Milly Alcock.

The show also stars Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, Oliva Cooke as Alicent Hightower and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower.