Jamie Oliver has called a journalist who quizzed him about his weight a "bitch".

The celebrity chef - who is promoting healthy eating in Australia - hit back at a reporter who asked if he had gained a few kilos since his last trip Down Under.

According to the Herald Sun he said: "I don't know. I am very healthy. I think the last time I had a filling in my teeth, which was quite recently, I was in good nick. But really, I am not really sure.

"Are you from a tabloid? Thank you for noticing, you bitch."

But he admits he wasn't thinking clearly having had a "few drinks" the night before.

The question came about after pictures emerged of Oliver looking bloated when landing in Australia to launch the country's first Ministry of Food - a school that provides free cooking classes in a bid to encourage healthy eating.

His US spokesman Kimberly Yorio insists Jamie hasn't packed on the pounds.

She told ABC News: "I can say for a fact he hasn't gained any weight. They were bad pictures."

However the father-of-four has since admitted he "could do better" when it comes to being healthy.

He told reporters: "I do my best. Working in the food business is quite hard when someone is constantly asking you to try things.

"I eat fresh. I train twice a week. I could definitely do better, but I am trying to do my best like most people when they hit 30."

- BANG! Showbiz