“I seriously and genuinely regret my poor behaviour,” he said in a statement.
“I have stuffed up more than once and am working on these issues.”
“It is embarrassing to hear and read the consequences of my actions. I apologise unreservedly to the gentleman on the flight. I am trying to make direct contact with him personally.”
“I know I have to front the media and discuss my actions in a more appropriate and accountable way,” he continued.
“I just have to sort a few things first so I can be as frank and open as I need to be. I apologise for the inconvenience.”
It’s believed the 35-year-old was on a Virgin Australia flight from Adelaide to Melbourne on Sunday morning when the run-in occurred.
Reports alleged the drama broke out after a passenger reclined their seat backwards. The Telegraph claims Hackett grabbed the passenger by the nipple “quite forcefully.”
“As I reclined my chair he grabbed it and yanked it back,” the passenger told the publication.
“Then he put his hand through and groped my chest and tweaked my nipple quite forcefully. I was shocked and my partner turned around and he asked him what the hell he thought he was doing. Mr Hackett then stroked my arm and said: ‘It’s OK, it’s all right.'”
Further reports from Channel Seven allege Grant “smelt of alcohol” and was “agitated” during the flight.
Startling images from Channel Seven purport to show Grant slumped in a wheelchair being escorted off the flight (below).
The news was first reported by 2GB Radio, who claimed via Twitter he had been arrested.
“EXCLUSIVE: #BreakingNews Ray Hadley reveals Grant Hackett has been arrested in Melbourne following an alleged altercation on a flight,” the 2GB account tweeted around 2pm Sunday afternoon.
However an AFP spokesperson told Nine News Grant has not been charged and is being questioned over the matter.
“The AFP can confirm it was requested to attend an arrival gate at Melbourne airport earlier today,” a rep explained to Nine News.
“A 35-year-old man was spoken to however at this time no charges have been laid. Enquiries in relation to this matter are continuing.”
The matter is still being investigated and the father-of-two is yet to comment.
Watch Grant talk about his fall from grace back in 2012. Post continues after the video…
Meanwhile Virgin Australia have released a statement, which reads: “We can confirm there was an incident on board a Virgin Australia flight from Adelaide to Melbourne this morning.”
It continues: “The matter is now in the hands of Australian Federal Police. Our of respect of the privacy of our passengers and cabin crew it would be inappropriate to comment any further details.”
It comes as the gold medalist failed to qualify for the Australian swimming team for the 2016 Rio Olympics following a fevered comeback campaign.
Grant’s struggles have long been documented. In 2011, the swimmer trashed his Melbourne home after a fight with his now ex-wife, Candice Alley. Concern was also raised when he was spotted wandering through Melbourne’s Crown Casino half-naked, looking for his son.
In 2014, the former Olympian admitted abusing prescription drugs and checked into a US rehab facility to seek help.
