UK celebrity chef caught shoplifting at Tesco

UK TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson has been cautioned for stealing cheese and wine from Tesco.

According to UK media reports, police arrested the 60-year-old at the Tesco store in Oxfordshire, England, on Friday. 

The chef, who has frequented the UAE for culinary events including Taste of Dubai and Gourmet Abu Dhabi, said in a statement that he had "let down" his family and would "seek treatment".

Worrall Thompson, from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, was questioned and given a formal caution.

He apologised for his "stupid and irresponsible actions" and said he hoped he could "make amends".

"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," the statement continued. 

"Of course, 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.

"I am so sorry for all my recent stupid and irresponsible actions. Hopefully in the future I can make amends."

Tesco declined to comment, describing it as a "police matter", reports in the BBC said.

In a statement, police added: "Thames Valley Police arrested a 60-year-old man from High Wycombe following a report of shoplifting offences.

"The man has been issued with a formal caution for these offences."

The chef has appeared on shows including the BBC's Ready, Steady, Cook and ITV's Daily Cooks Challenge.

He opened his first restaurant in London in 1981.

In 2009, he had to close four of his restaurants because of an "unexpected but decisive fall in revenue across the businesses from September 2008".