An award-winning DJ walked out in the middle of a live show yesterday after his radio station apologised for comments he made on air.

George Bowie, the breakfast presenter with Clyde 1 in Glasgow, left during the early morning programme to have a meeting with management.

It followed an on-air apol-ogy for a remark made by Mr Bowie on Thursday morning's show which sparked one complaint to the station.

Mr Bowie, who only last month won a prestigious Sony award, walked out of the studio and another presenter, Colin Kelly, had to stand in at the last minute. Mr Bowie and his breakfast show team were then told to take one week's holiday before returning to the studio on May 21.

The station was inundated with messages from listeners supporting the radio host, who is widely regarded as the station's most popular presenter. Thousands of e-mails and messages were received and at one point 150 texts were reaching the station every 15 seconds. A handful of fans even turned up at the studios in Clydebank. A video message from Mr Bowie was posted later on the station's website, saying the issues had been resolved.

He said: "Thanks to everyone who got in touch. We've had thousands of texts and e-mails from all you guys showing your support for me and not the management.

"Now we've all sat down and sorted it all out. We've put our differences behind us and we are going to move on."

Management at the station refused to elaborate on the original comment made by Mr Bowie but it is believed to have referred to the late Richard Whiteley. A spokesman for the station initially tried to play down the events as "a bit of fun" and denied there had been any row.

But Gordon Davidson, Clyde's programme director, later confirmed a meeting had taken place. Mr Davidson said: "We have run an apology. What happened today was George wanted to come and have a chat. Unfortunately, it was when he was on air.

"He found himself in a difficult position. He will be taking one week's holiday along with his team. I think George understands why we've done what we've done, although he'd probably have a different view."

He added: "The team will come back fresh on May 21."

Only last month, Bowie and his team, including Des McLean and Nicola McLean, won a Bronze in the Entertainment category of the Sony Radio Academy Awards for the breakfast show, which is on every weekday. Bowie @ Breakfast was praised as "an inventive, edgy, surprising programme; the presenter is comfortable in his skin, has a real sense of place and knows his listeners inside out.

"Great production values and confidence make this programme a Sony winner."

The row is the second time this year the breakfast show has sparked controversy after Miss Scotland Nicola McLean, 22, said singer Samantha Mumba "looked like a monkey". The model was forced to apologise for the comment, which she insisted was not intended to be racist.