Jeremy Clarkson v Ed Coutts: the former Top Gear presenter accused Mr Coutts of "making stuff up". Photos / Getty Images and Supplied
Jeremy Clarkson v Ed Coutts: the former Top Gear presenter accused Mr Coutts of "making stuff up". Photos / Getty Images and Supplied
The Kiwi businessman Jeremy Clarkson accused of "making stuff up" in a Twitter spray directed at Waiheke Island has apologised.
Ed Coutts, owner and managing director of Waiheke Unlimited, which houses celebrities staying on the island, had told the Herald that Clarkson sent a helicopter to Auckland four times forthings like cigarettes, a Monopoly board, and even gravy mix - because it was too far to drive to the shop.
He also claimed the British presenter wanted a new, black-on-black Range Rover Sport with no mileage on the odometer delivered to the house just to look at it.
Clarkson sent out a series of tweets scotching the allegations. He also advised people not to visit the island and claimed the story about "celebrity demands" came from a "Kiwi who's promoting his business by making stuff up about people who use it".
Mr Coutts today told the New Zealand Herald he did not mean to upset or cause offence to Clarkson.
"The last thing you want to do is upset anyone, let alone Clarkson," he said. "We would absolutely love to have him back ... we had lots of laughter [when he stayed]. He came down and had a good time."
He added that Clarkson was a "great guest".
"He has got upset about the way [the story] it came out."
Mr Coutts initially spoke to the Herald on Sunday about a story comparing high-end rentals in Queenstown and on Waiheke Island. During the conversation, Mr Coutts gave an insight into some of the demands of previous high-profile guests.
He didn't want his comments to be turned into a negative said he was sorry for confusing the board game which Clarkson had sought.
My advice to anyone wishing to visit Waiheke Island is: don't.
And if he does decide to return at a later date, he'd be "very welcome" at Stoneyridge.
"I'd do my best to change his opinion on Waiheke."
Top Gear hosts James May and Jeremy Clarkson enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Euro restaurant on Princes Wharf in Auckland when they visited New Zealand in 2013.
Waiheke Island was recently rated one of the top 10 destinations in the world to visit.
The island was the No. 5 region to visit in Lonely Planet's Best In Travel 2016 guide.
Lonely Planet editors praised the island's unique community. "Waiheke's bohemian and hippie past is not far from the surface. The island continues to have a thriving artistic community where over 100 working artists ply their trades in disciplines such as sculpture, glass-blowing, painting and woodwork.
"The island is an outdoor enthusiast's playground, where mountain biking, sea kayaking and sailing can all be indulged."
