Who are you calling a pinko, Jeremy? Clarkson has earned the nickname 'Axl Rosé' on set because of his fondness for delicate 'hen-do' wine

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He may come across as an everyday bloke who loves nothing more than a pint down at the pub, but Jeremy Clarkson’s love for pink plonk earned him the nickname Axl Rosé, a new book claims.

The former Top Gear presenter’s embarrassing moniker was revealed by Richard Porter, one of the BBC programme’s most senior producers, in his tell-all book, ‘And On That Bombshell’.

The controversial host’s affinity for ‘hen-do fuel’ was just one of the behind-the-scenes revelations by Porter, a former script editor who was responsible for the silly challenges and humour for all 22 series before Clarkson’s sacking last March.

Jeremy Clarkson (pictured last April) was called Axl Rosé due to his love for pink wine, a new book claims

'Delicate "hen-do" fuel' was Clarkson's longstanding booze of choice, ex-script editor Richard Porter claimed 

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On Clarkson’s pink tipple, Mr Porter wrote in his book: ‘I can’t remember the last time I saw him enjoying a pint of beer or a Scotch.

‘His longstanding booze of choice was delicate “hen-do” fuel. It earned him the office nickname Axl Rosé.’

The nickname is a take on the name of Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose, and it may not come as a huge surprise as Clarkson has been photographed countless times with a glass of pink wine in his grasp or on the table in front of him.

He was reportedly drinking rosé the night that he punched Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon after he was not served hot food at the Simonstone Hall hotel in Hawes, North Yorkshire following a day of filming.

The former Top Gear host's nickname is a take on the name of Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose

Clarkson was sacked from Top Gear last March after he punched a producer in a row at a plush hotel

Earlier this year, it was revealed Clarkson and his Top Gear Live co-presenters, Richard Hammond and James May, demanded their green room be stocked with more than 20 bottles of wine before every event.

According to the three-page catalogue, the haul must include Château Léoube rosé, which – at Clarkson’s insistence – must be ‘pale DRY … and preferably [from] southern France’.

It appears Château Léoube, which typically sells for £14 in shops, was Clarkson's rosé of choice, as a snap from Instagram shows him clutching a bottle in his arms.

Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon declined to press charges after the fracas at Simonstone Hall hotel

Rose was among the bottles of wine Clarkson, Hammond and May requested for Top Gear Live events

Clarkson and his former Top Gear co-presenters are set to launch a new programme on Amazon Prime. Chris Evans is set to take the lead on a new Top Gear series.

In June, Clarkson claimed he had quit booze after watching ‘Amy’, a documentary on the troubled life and death of singer Amy Winehouse.

He wrote in a Sunday Times column he was also influenced to stay sober following the death of former Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy.