Anthony Worrall Thompson Apologises for Shoplifting

Anthony Worrall Thompson has publicly apologised for shoplifting cheese and wine from his local Tesco after police cautioned him.

The celebrity chef has been allegedly caught stealing five times in just over a fortnight at the Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, branch of the superstore.

Worrall Thompson, 60, said he was devastated and that he would get the treatment he "clearly needed".

He also publicly apologised to staff at the store.

"I am so sorry for all my recent stupid and irresponsible actions," he said. "I am, of course, devastated for my family and friends, whom I've let down, and will seek the treatment that is clearly needed.

"I am not the first and I certainly won't be the last person to do something without rhyme or reason - what went through my head, only time will tell.

"I must also apologise sincerely to Tesco, with whom I've had a long and genuine working relationship, and to all the staff at the Henley branch, many of whom I've got to know over the years."

Police said that the stolen items stolen were of relatively low value.

A source quoted in the Daily Mail said: "He was ordering blocks of cheese at the deli counter, taking bottles of wine, then putting some things through the scanner but walking out with the rest."

He was questioned at the Tesco store on five occasions, according to the paper.

In 2009, the Ready Steady Cook star was forced to leave his £1.6 million mansion in Henley for a more modest home in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.