WORLD Superbike champion Carl Fogarty today made a heartfelt public apology to his mum Jean after claiming she was jealous of his success in his best-selling autobiography.

Foggy, who lives in Mellor with his wife Michaela and two daughters, spoke out after making peace privately with his mother at her Blackburn home.

The four times world champion said he was wrong to include comments about his family in his autobiography Foggy, which has sold 50,000 copies in the first month and topped the hardback best-sellers list.

The race ace said the references would be removed when the paperback edition is published next year.

He said: "The one thing I regret is the stuff about my mum. I was wrong. I remember doing the bit about my family last November but it was a time when I was frustrated and sick to death of my family.

"I fell out with my dad on the back of stuff my uncle Brian should not have been doing and it caused a lot of friction. He was also splitting up with my mum and I felt I was getting it all, that everyone expected me to help out.

"I said things I shouldn't have done and my mum was upset. I didn't give her credit for the things she has done for me and I feel bad about that.

"I don't know why I said it. I was upset with the family falling out but I said she was jealous of my lifestyle and that is totally untrue."

Jean said she was pleased to have made things up with her son.

She said: "I don't think he thought at the time but I must agree he was feeling like that because of all the trouble in the family.

"It has taken me a long time to even talk to him but everything is brilliant again now."

Carl said he was glad he had sorted things out with his mum but added that the rift with his uncle Brian Fogarty remained the subject of court action.

Carl is fighting a legal battle to prevent Brian from selling merchandise.

He said: "I will never make up with him."