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.

But 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."