Television and radio host Joe Hildebrand has apologised after a controversial tweet about Ian Thorpe’s homosexuality landed him in hot water.

Referencing Thorpe’s tell-all interview with Michael Parkinson in which he came out as gay, Hildebrand joked that “if he really wanted to shock people he should’ve said that he was straight”.

Good on Thorpey for coming out as gay. Although if he really wanted to shock people he should’ve said that he was straight. #IanThorpe

— Joe Hildebrand (@Joe_Hildebrand) July 13, 2014

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Critics labelled the sarcastic missive “stupid”, “immature” and “unbelievable”, prompting Hildebrand to post an apology on his Twitter profile, reiterating his support for Thorpe’s brave decision.

In all seriousness, Ian Thorpe coming out might actually be the biggest breakthrough for gay acceptance Australia has ever seen. #IanThorpe — Joe Hildebrand (@Joe_Hildebrand) July 13, 2014

However, Twitter users were still not satisfied, prompting Hildebrand to further apologise for his joke.

APOLOGY: I am so sorry that apparently everyone on Twitter didn’t know Thorpey was gay. Best wishes to your home planet. #IanThorpe — Joe Hildebrand (@Joe_Hildebrand) July 13, 2014

APOLOGY: I apologise for my previous apology, which did not apologise enough for saying how good it was that Thorpey came out. #IanThorpe

— Joe Hildebrand (@Joe_Hildebrand) July 13, 2014

APOLOGY: I apologise for my previous apology for my previous apology. I hereby retract that apology. I apologise for the second apology.

— Joe Hildebrand (@Joe_Hildebrand) July 13, 2014

Many felt that the damage had already been done and Hildebrand’s apologies were too little, too late.

“Joe, I heard jokes like that as a teenager,” writer Benjamin Law tweeted. “They f—ing hurt.”