Martha Stewart says she 'really screwed up' with homeless Halloween costume

Veteran lifestyle guru Martha Stewart has admitted she "really screwed up" by dressing as a homeless person for Halloween.

The 85-year-old US entrepreneur and personality has deleted a photo of herself wearing torn clothes and dirt on her face, holding a sign saying: "I am hungry help me!!"

She posted a statement on Sunday saying she was "distressed that my Halloween costume yesterday, which was intended to bring more awareness to the very serious subject of homelessness, has offended people, which was never my intention".

That was followed by a fuller apology. "It's hard to admit when you've really screwed up. My earlier statement didn't go far enough. I know many people are suffering economically. Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I am very sorry."