With seven Olympic medals to his name, he was once a national hero.
However Sir Chris Hoy let down legions of fans after being exposed for eating a Kit Kat “the wrong way”.
The Scots cycling star has joked he may have to quit Twitter after his other half exposed him for munching the snack “without breaking it into two first”.
His wife Lady Sarra Hoy took to Twitter to shame the six-time Olympic gold medallist, adding: “We all agree this is wrong, right?”
Most believe the correct way to eat a Kit Kat is two split it and munch one piece at a time.
Well @chrishoy has just eaten a @KITKAT without breaking it into two first. He just ate the whole thing. We all agree this is wrong, right?
— Sarra Hoy (@SarraHoy) July 10, 2017
In response to Lady Sarra’s tweet, the six-time Olympic gold medallist said: “Think I’m going to have to come off Twitter for a while!”
Think I'm going to have to come off twitter for a while! #KitKatGate https://t.co/oKhPDx7sx7
— Chris Hoy (@chrishoy) July 10, 2017
“Kit Kate Gate” sparked a big response from his followers, many of whom were outraged he would eat the chocolate biscuit without breaking it in two first.
Racing star Marino Franchitti joked that “rehab” might be Sir Chris’ only option now.
There's bound to be a rehab course to help you. You're not beyond help!!
— Marino Franchitti (@MFranchitti) July 10, 2017
One twitter users said it was “an Olympic legacy destroyed in one bite”.
an Olympic legacy destroyed in one bite
— ']['ony (@TonyF87) July 10, 2017
If you're not splitting the kitkat are you even human?!
— Woody (@DavidWoodward10) July 10, 2017
Get out of the house….now!!
— Greg McHugh (@gregjmchugh) July 10, 2017
We love Sir Chris, he is an Olympic hero and a national treasure but this is plain wrong #KitKatGate
— G (@therealgsuth) July 10, 2017
@SarraHoy @KITKAT shocking, its imperative to nibble off the chocolate first. Disgrace ?
— Jon Collins (@AmusingName0) July 10, 2017
— Tracey Pankhurst (@traceyp_03) July 10, 2017
Please – for the love of god – not a 'four fingers' #justnotright
— Graham Goodwin (@dsceditor) July 10, 2017
Sir Chris did clarify that he eat the snack “length ways”.
Length-ways.
— Chris Hoy (@chrishoy) July 10, 2017
Some people did come to his defence…
That's ok. Snapping it might lose valuable slivers of chocolate. No matter how tiny its still lost chocolate. Biting reduces chocolate loss.
— Deborah Wood (@debbiesmith75) July 10, 2017
I think this is a totally legit strategy. Attacking a 4 finger with no breakages though… different matter #kitkatgate
— Harry Leitch (@HGLeitch) July 10, 2017
Four fingers, down in one? Legend!
— Curio Grumble (143) (@bgilmour) July 10, 2017
That's the manliest thing ever! ?
— Liam Doherty (@Docco) July 11, 2017