Heath Ledger - Contributed

Bangshowbiz

A video of Heath Ledger snorting cocaine has emerged.

The footage shows the late Brokeback Mountain star snorting the class A drug after the Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) Awards on January 29, 2006.

US TV shows Entertainment Tonight and The Insider have purchased the tape for a reported $200,000, but bosses have now decided not to show the footage.

In a statement, the two programmes said: "Out of respect for Heath Ledger's family, Entertainment Tonight and The Insider have decided not to run the Heath Ledger video which has been circulating in the world's media."

Shot unawares

The footage - which was shot at Los Angeles' Chateau Marmont hotel without Heath's knowledge - shows the actor sniffing a "cocaine-like substance" off a table with a rolled-up bank note.

At one point, Heath, who died in his New York apartment last week, talks about his former fiancée Michelle Williams and their two-year-old daughter Matilda, adding: "I'm going to get so much st from my girlfriend. We have a baby together - Matilda, Matilda Rose."

Referring to his love of cannabis - an illegal drug often smoked in cigarette form - Heath added: "I used to smoke five joints a day."

The shows have also released a statement warning that if any media outlet chooses to show the footage, they are likely to be subject to lawsuits and fines.

It was revealed Wednesday that Michelle had attempted to get Heath to enter rehab to seek help for his reported drug problems.

The former Dawson's Creek actress, who split from the actor in September 2007 following a two-year engagement, drove Heath to California's Promises Treatment Center in March 2006, but Heath refused to check in and instead promised Michelle he would kick his habit on his own.

Before the split, Michelle ordered Heath - who is believed to have abused cocaine, heroin and a "variety of pills" - to undergo a drug test before she would allow him to spend time with Matilda.