Duncan Bannatyne has hit back at his ex-girlfriend by tweeting about a 'bunny boiler' after she accused him of threatening to expose intimate pictures of her.

The Dragon's Den star - said to be worth £175 million - is alleged to have implied he would leak naked photographs of former beauty queen Michelle Evans if she "caused trouble" for him.

The 66-year-old Scot, who owns fitness empire Bannatyne's Health Clubs, responded to the claims while in Paris, where is believed to be with his new girlfriend, dental receptionist Nigora Whitehorn.

He wrote: "I hear there is a bunny boiler on the loose in the UK?"

Mr Bannatyne, who claims he has instructed lawyers to look at the claims, also posted: "I have no respect for anyone who sells a kiss n tell story for £25,000 & fills it with lies."

Miss Evans was in a relationship with the Clydebank-born businessman for seven months before reportedly calling it off when she saw photographs of him and Miss Whitehorn.

She claimed she ended it using his famous line from Dragon's Den - "I'm out!"

The 37-year-old mother-of-one admitted she sent three photographs of herself in lingerie to Mr Bannatyne and claimed he then threatened to share them with the world in the aftermath of their split.

She said he texted warning her not to cause trouble, before saying: "Really? You are happy with me showing the pictures you sent me?"

Miss Evans then replied saying: "Is that a threat? I believe someone was sentenced for that recently."

She also claimed she told him that she had been advised to report the matter to the police and he replied: "Just stop it."