The Bramley Apple Campaign Group paid Ramsay £3,500 to promote their apples - but in an episode in of his current TV documentary the chef rejected them in favour of French-grown Granny Smiths. He also insulted the group's chairman.

About 20 Bramley apple supporters turned up outside Ramsay's two Michelin star restaurant in Chelsea. The protesters wore white chef's hats, waved placards and handed in a protest letter to the maitre d'hotel.

English Apples and Pears Association spokesman Keith Simpson said: "We consider that he has broken the trust and the agreement that existed between us.

"This protest is part of a programme to encourage him to make a public apology and return our money. If all else fails we will sue."

In the fly-on-the-wall Channel 4 documentary, Ramsay's Boiling Point, the celebrity chef is famous for shouting and swearing at his staff.