Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has apologised for calling Adele "too fat".

The Chanel honcho came under fire earlier this week when he criticised the Grammy Award-winning star's voluptuous figure, saying she "is a little too fat", Sun online reported.

But he now says that his comments were taken "out of context", and that he is a huge fan of the Someone Like You hitmaker.

"I'd like to say to Adele that I am your biggest admirer. Sometimes when you take a sentence out it changes the meaning of the thought.

"Adele is my favourite singer and I am a great admirer of her. I lost over 30 kilos 10 years ago and know how it feels when the press is mean to you in regards to your appearance. Adele is a beautiful girl," he said.