PM Rudd condemns 'lowlife' Ramsey

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The Hell's Kitchen star was initally unrepentent after comparing Tracy Grimshaw with a pig, but later unreservedly apologised after realising "with hindsight" his comments were inappropriate.

Grimshaw, on her show A Current Affair, branded him an "arrogant narcissist" - and Prime Minister Rudd congratulated her for dealing Ramsay a "left uppercut" with her riposte.

"I think I can describe his remarks as reflecting a new form of lowlife," Mr Rudd told Australia's Fairfax Radio.

"I just drew breath when I saw the sort of stuff which was said about her, I just think that's off and offensive. Good on Tracy Grimshaw for coming out and giving him a left uppercut."

The 42-year-old chef first made his remarks in front of a 3,000-strong audience at a live cooking show in Melbourne - then apparently repeated at the cooking event on Sunday and Monday.

He denied using the word lesbian and said his comments "were intended as a jokes". The outburst came after a largely unremarkable interview with Grimshaw on her show on Channel 9 - the same station which screens Ramsay's programmes in Australia.

But a spokeswoman for Ramsay said on Tuesday: "Gordon was giving 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 have been upset."