TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson says he was 'stupid' after being caught shoplifting cheese and wine from Tesco FIVE TIMES in 16 days

By LEON WATSON and RICHARD HARTLEY-PARKINSON

On suspicion of shoplifting: TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson (centre), pictured with Michel Roux and Aldo Zilli, has been cautioned

Celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson apologised today for his 'stupid and irresponsible behaviour' and letting his family down after being caught stealing cheese and wine from a Tesco store.
The star of Ready Steady Cook, 60, was caught shoplifting five times in 16 days at a store in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
Apologising, Worrall Thompson said he was 'devastated' and that he would get 'clearly needed' treatment following the thefts.
He has also publicly said sorry to Tesco and staff at the Henley branch in Oxfordshire for the thefts.

Suffered a downturn: Antony Worrall Thompson with wife Jacinta and children

Worrall Thompson was filmed on the store's secret camera using the self-service checkout machines.
He failed to scan the barcodes of some items and sneaked them into a bag before trying to walk out.
Security guards are then said to have stopped father-of-four Worrall Thompson and checked his bags before calling police.

Security staff secretly filmed Worrall Thompson at the Tesco superstore in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire

Worrall Thompson said: 'I am so sorry for all my recent stupid and irresponsible actions; 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.
'Of course, I must also apologise sincerely to Tesco, with whom I'm 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.

Antony Worrall Thompson's company AWT was forced into administration

'Once again, I am so sorry and hopefully in the future I can make amends.'
The stolen goods were 'relatively low value' and included bottles of wine and cheese.
A source 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.'
The former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! star was arrested on suspicion of theft and cautioned.

Forced out: The former home of celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson, in Lower Shiplake, Henley

Worrall Thompson appeared on ITV reality show I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in 2003

source: dailymail