Chef Gordon Ramsay has apologised

Chef Gordon Ramsay has apologised to an Australian female TV presenter over "inappropriate and offensive" comments he made about her.

The Hell's Kitchen star was reported to have called Tracy Grimshaw a lesbian and compared her with a pig in front of a 3,000-strong audience.

The incident happened at a live cooking show in Melbourne on Saturday.

Ramsay had denied using the word "lesbian" and had said the comments were intended as a joke.

But Ms Grimshaw used her show, A Current Affair, to lambast the chef as an "arrogant narcissist".

Now, a spokesman for the chef has said: "Gordon was giving during a live cooking demonstration at the Australian BBC Good Food Show last weekend in front of a large and boisterous audience.

"His comments relating to Tracy Grimshaw, who had interviewed Gordon the previous evening, were off the cuff and in response to heckling from the audience.

"His intention was to make a joke and indeed he did raise a big laugh at the time.

"However, with hindsight he realises that his comments were inappropriate and offensive to Tracy Grimshaw.

"And he has unreservedly apologised both to her and anybody else who may who may have been upset."

Ramsay apparently unleashed a string of insults aimed at the presenter during three appearances at the food show, likening her to Muppets character Miss Piggy.

"That's Grimshaw," he told the crowd. "Holy crap. She needs to see a Botox doctor."

During another appearance he said: "We were secret lovers for 20 years," but quickly added, "no, I didn't go there... I didn't stoop that low, for God's sake."

Grimshaw has vowed never to interview the TV chef again after his remarks at the expo.

She said: "I'm not going to pretend that his comments didn't hurt. I was absolutely miserable when I found out.

"He says it was a joke - well not to me or to anyone who truly cares about me.

"Truly, I wonder how many people would laugh if they were effectively described as 'an old ugly pig'. How is that funny, exactly?"

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd entered the row, saying Ramsay's remarks at the show were "offensive" and reflected "a new form of lowlife."