A Sky TV channel has cancelled a woodworking show and apologised after claims that a contestant had face tattoos connected to white supremacy. 

Carpenter Darren Lumsden appeared on The Chop: Britain’s Top Woodworker, a Sky History series. Twitter users pointed out that the number 88 inked on his cheek was widely recognised as the code for “Heil Hitler” used by white supremacists.

It was also claimed the numbers 23 and 16 — often used to signify white power according to the Anti-Defamation League — were visible on his face. 

AETN UK, which runs Sky History jointly with Sky, said Mr Lumsden denies any far-right sympathies.

The broadcaster initially said Mr Lumdsden’s “88” tattoo was a reference to 1988, the year of his father’s death. 

But 66-year-old Trevor Lumsden reportedly told the Daily Mail he was Mr Lumsden’s father and had not seen his son “for some years”.

AETN UK said today that following an investigation, it had “made the decision not to broadcast any further episodes of The Chop” and was reviewing its internal procedures.

“A contestant’s tattoos included symbols that could be connected to far-right ideologies and could cause offence,” it said. 

“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.

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