A TELEVISION programme featuring a woman from the Isle of Wight has been cancelled after an investigation into a contestant's face tattoos found they "could be connected to far-right ideologies".

In a statement issued today (Friday), AETN UK, which runs the channel, said: "A contestant's tattoos included symbols that could be connected to far-right ideologies and could cause offence.

"We sincerely apologise for that and we are sorry that our processes did not prompt further investigation at an earlier stage.

"The contestant continues to strenuously deny that he has, or ever had, far-right leanings. We are thoroughly reviewing our internal processes following the investigation.

"AETN UK and Sky History stand against racism and hate speech of all kinds."

Episode one of The Chop: Britain's Top Woodworker, hosted by Lee Mack and Rick Edwards, was aired on Thursday October 15, with the second episode due for broadcast the following week.

However, it was pulled from Sky schedules over concerns about participant Darren Lumsden's tattoos, which have been said to include Nazi symbols, although he denies such meanings.

Sky History apologised and said it was "thoroughly reviewing" its processes.