Tracy Morgan wasn't ''mentally or emotionally ready'' to be a part of 'Saturday Night Live's 40th anniversary special.

The 46-year-old actor hasn't made a public appearance since he was seriously injured in a car accident last June and bosses on 'SNL' - on which he was a regular cast member from 1996 until 2003 - asked him to be a part of the milestone programme on Sunday (15.02.15), but he wasn't feeling fit enough to appear.

A source told the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column:

''They really wanted him to be there, but when it came down to it, he just isn't mentally or emotionally ready to appear on TV yet.''

Instead, Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey paid tribute to Tracy - who suffered a broken femur, broken nose and broken ribs in the crash - during the show.

Alec tried to impersonate his co-star while Tina made a heartfelt speech about him.

She said: ''I wish my friend Tracy Morgan was here tonight. I know he was hoping he would be well enough to be here too.

''If he were here tonight I am sure Tracy would remind us that more than anything, he would like to get us all pregnant. See you at the 41st, Tracy. We love you.''