The couple, who make the sauce in their mother-in-law's kitchen, were shocked to receive a letter from the star's solicitors, accusing them of trademark infringement and insisting they destroy all their stock.

They founded Bloody Hell Hot Sauce as a hobby three years ago and the £12 condiment is now sold at food shops on the Isle of Wight and across the UK, including Harvey Nichols and Fenwick.

"I can't believe this big company is trying to shut down a small family business on the Isle of Wight," said Mr Powers.

"They don't just want us to stop selling our sauce, they want us to destroy absolutely everything.

"When I read the letter, I was physically sick. It's so unfair. So many products are sold in skull bottles, and ours has nothing to do with their market."