Jamie Oliver says he regrets his recent disparaging comments about Gordon Ramsay, saying he is "annoyed" with himself for biting. Oliver, who is said to be worth £240 million, had claimed rival television chef Ramsay was "deeply jealous" of his success.

Jamie OliverJamie Oliver regrets saying Gordon Ramsay was "jealous" of his success

"I'm annoyed that I said anything because I did bite for a few years and it felt quite good but I don't think it's very responsible of me to take the p*** again because I don't want his kids to get upset because I'm slagging off their dad," he told Australian news organisation AAP.

Ramsay criticized Jamie last year when the 15 Minute Meals man didn't attend the opening of his new Hong Kong restaurant, Jamie's Italian.

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"Two British chefs, Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay, rubbing shoulders together in Hong Kong. At least I'm here, I came to my opening, right? If you're going to open a restaurant in Hong Kong at least turn up," Gordon said in an interview with CNBC while opening his own Bread Street Kitchen in the city.

Responding to the jibes, Oliver said: "Gordon will do anything to try and take the p**s out of me because he is deeply jealous and can't quite work out why I do what I do and why he can't do that," he said.

"He is too busy shouting and screaming and making our industry look like a bunch of shouters and screamers."

Oliver recently hit the top of the bestsellers list in the UK with his latest book, Save with Jamie. It takes his total number of book sales to 37 million.

"Book sales are about having a deep trusted relationship with the public. I really write my books. I don't just turn up for the front cover. I write every word, every letter and I oversee every bit of design," he said.

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