Baldwin: Basinger wanted to destroy me

Alec Baldwin credits ex-wife Kim Basinger with saving his life after his infamous answer machine rant - because he refused to let her win their bitter custody battle by killing himself.

The actor branded his 11-year-old daughter Ireland "a thoughtless little pig" in 2007 - and a recording of the voicemail message was subsequently leaked onto the Internet.

Baldwin, who was locked in a custody battle with Basinger at the time, was widely criticised, and admits he considered suicide during the aftermath of the scandal.

However, the 51-year-old credits his ex with pulling him back from the brink - because he couldn't stand the thought of handing her "victory" if he killed himself.

He tells Playboy magazine: "I spoke to a lot of professionals, who helped me... If I committed suicide, (Kim Basinger's side) would have considered that a victory.

"Destroying me was their avowed goal."