The apology was issued by Primeworks Studios chief executive officer Ahmad Izham Omar on behalf of TV3 and TV9 today.

“We would like to humbly offer our sincerest apology to Watson Nyambek for the degrading remarks made over his father’s good name.

“Primeworks Studio has issued a reminder to all employees to be observant and sensitive when producing all our programmes.

“We have also conducted a review of our work method and operations to avoid a recurrence of such matters.

“The event has served as a lesson for us to be more aware of our surroundings,” Izham said in a statement.

“We have the highest respect for Watson, his father and family.

“We would like again to convey our apology for the mistake and we will ensure that such incidents will never happen again.”

The former record-breaking runner was apparently unhappy that his father, who died three years ago, was likened to an animal in the programme broadcast last night.

He said when people said he was poor and bankrupt, he didn’t mind his fate but nobody had the right to make fun of his departed father.