James Martin apologises for cyclist outrage

Comments 'misjudged', TV chef admits

TV chef James Martin has apologised for unkind comments he made regarding cyclists in a Mail on Sunday review of the Tesla Roadster.

Martin (pictured) ill-advisedly spouted: "God, I hate those cyclists. Every last herbal tea-drinking, Harriet Harman-voting one of them. That's one of the reasons I live in the countryside, where birds tweet, horses roam, pigs grunt and Lycra-clad buttocks are miles away."

What really did the trick, though, was this: "Twenty minutes into my test drive I pulled round a leafy bend, enjoying the birdsong - and spotted those damned Spider-Man cyclists. Knowing they wouldn't hear me coming, I stepped on the gas, waited until the split second before I overtook them, then gave them an almighty blast on the horn at the exact same time I passed them at speed."

"The look of sheer terror as they tottered into the hedge was the best thing I've ever seen in my rear-view mirror. I think this could be the car for me."

Cue general outrage, a severe Wickikicking, and a Twitter broadside from Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins.

Martin has now admitted his comments were "misjudged". A statement on his website reads: "May I take this opportunity to apologize for any offence I have caused through the article in last weekend’s Mail on Sunday.

"It was never my intention to offend the many cyclists who share our roads across the country. What was intended to be a humorous piece was clearly misjudged. Further more I do not condone any form of reckless driving.

"Once again, I am sincerely sorry for any upset caused in relation to this article." ®