Celebrity chef Pete Evans, 47, has never been one to shy away from publicly expressing controversial views.
WATCH: Pete Evans falsely claims $15k lamp could cure coronavirus
But it was his latest Instagram post – which contained a neo-Nazi symbol – that has people up in arms.
The former My Kitchen Rules star was rumoured to be set to appear on the upcoming season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – but following the backlash, Network Ten has confirmed he won’t be part of the series.
A spokesperson said: “Network 10 can confirm that Pete Evans will not be appearing on this season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!”
The publisher of his books, Pan Macmillian, have also announced they’re “finalising” their contractual relationship with him as a result of his post.
The former TV personality has come under fire in the past for his COVID-19 conspiracy theories and health advice but has not explained his intention behind posting the most recent meme.
He did, however, claim “an image can represent so many things to so many” and did not explicitly align with white supremacy or Nazism.
Following the backlash, Pete shared another post apologising for sharing the meme.
“Sincere apologies to anyone who misinterpreted a previous post of a caterpillar and a butterfly having a chat over a drink and perceived that I was promoting hatred,” he said.
“I look forward to studying all of the symbols that have ever existed and research them thoroughly before posting.”
It comes after the Ben, Rob and Robbo show claimed on Monday that Pete was part of 2021’s I’m A Celeb line-up and was preparing to start filming in northern NSW.
Meanwhile, TV Blackbox’s Rob McKnight appeared on Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa on Tuesday morning to share more details of Pete’s apparent exit from I’m a Celeb.
“[He was in there] a grand total of about three minutes!” Rob revealed.
“Well he’s been in lockdown, ready to go into the jungle. What it was was a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, now that’s harmless enough but the problem is there was a neo-Nazi symbol on the butterfly.”
Last Friday on the same radio show, I’m A Celeb host Julia Morris admitted she would be “very cross” if Pete wasn’t one of the stars entering the jungle.
“Surely at a minimum there’s been a conversation,” she said.