Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne, two of the most famous entrepreneurs in the history of BBC series Dragon's Den, have had an awkward exchange on Twitter.

The spat came after gym

Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne, two of the most famous entrepreneurs in the history of BBC series Dragon's Den, have had an awkward exchange on Twitter.

The spat came after gym millionaire Bannatyne made a joke about who told Jones he was show's biggest star, suggesting that it was his mother - only for his former co-star on the popular television show to call the joke in 'bad taste' because his mother was no longer alive. 

Clearly hurt by the gag, Jones, 54, fired back at his long-term acquaintance: 'Sadly my wonderful Mum passed away so your comment is in bad taste Duncan.'

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Awkward: Duncan Bannatyne (left) appears to have upset his former Dragon's Den co-star Peter Jones (centre) after he made a joke about the businessman's late mother

Although it's unclear if Peter Jones' mother has passed away recently, his former co-star's joke didn't go down well on Twitter

Bannatyne, 71, quickly apologised for the remark, saying: 'Sorry Peter, will delete it now' before later adding it had been a 'flippant comment'. 

The Scottish businessman then retweeted several comments that defended his remark including one by @DavidOReilly3, who wrote 'schoolyard humour....probably an overreaction on Peter's part unless he is recently bereaved.' 

@SimonDicketts wrote: 'And you meant absolutely no offence by that comment. Which is patently obvious to me, if no-one else. So if offence was taken, it was taken by choice. Publicly.'

@oliversmission penned: 'Omg. Please don't crack on with this like @piersmorgan and @Lord_Sugar. I am sure that no harm was intended??? Sorry for your loss Peter.'

The exchange with Jones is the latest in a long line of strongly-worded recent tweets by Bannatyne. 

Last week, he hit out at mega-rich Sir Richard Branson for seeking millions of pounds from the taxpayer. 

A vocal week on Twitter: Bannatyne criticised Richard Branson for trying to enlist the help of the UK government to save ailing Virgin Atlantic

The Dragon's Den star (left with his wife Nigora Whitehorn) said the billionaire Virgin Group boss (right) should instead go to a bank for help during a row with his followers on Twitter

Branson has asked for a bailout to save Virgin Atlantic from collapse while Victoria Beckham told 30 employees at her fashion brand they are being put on the Government job retention scheme to pay up to £2,500 of their monthly salary.

In a furious Twitter row, Dragon's Den star Bannatyne - who has a net worth of £300million - said the billionaire Virgin Group boss should instead go to a bank for help.

And he also hit out at Branson's offer to mortgage Necker Island, his home in the Caribbean, as collateral to help get cash to 'save as many jobs as possible.' 

It's not clear when Mr Jones' mother died. 

Another Twitter user, @jane_upson expressed her sympathy, writing: 'So sorry Peter. It doesn't matter who you are, what age you are, whether you are rich or poor, losing your mum is devastating!'