'Here's the Fitchuation... Nobody called me': Jersey Shore's The Situation says clothing brand lied about offering him money not to wear brand

By Andrea Magrath
Updated: 13:39 EST, 19 August 2011

It seems that Abercrombie & Fitch may be in quite the situation.

The company appear to have been caught lying about their apparent offer to pay Jersey Shore's The Situation to stop wearing their clothes.

The reality star has hit back, saying that nobody ever contacted him... but that he would have agreed to the deal.

The smirking 29-year-old, real name Mike Sorrentino, laughed off the reports when chatting to his photographers from his convertible yesterday.

'Nobody's contacted me in any way,' he said. 'That's pretty crazy, you're gonna pay someone NOT to wear something? Call me up man! I'm in! Nobody's ever called me.'

Speaking to TMZ, he said he still liked the clothing brand, but added: 'I don't think people are supporting them any more ... I heard their stock dropped pretty badly.'

Abercrombie & Fitch released a statement earlier this week, expressing 'deep concern' that the cast of the MTV reality show are parading around in their goods and blackening their reputation.

It stated: 'We understand that the show is for entertainment purposes, but believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans.'

The company claimed they had offered Sorrentino a 'substantial payment' to wear 'an alternate brand.'

Many were quick to speculate over whether the statement may be a publicity stunt, given the timing - right in the middle of the 'back to school' shopping season.

And considering the brand has enthusiastically sold clothing dedicated to the popular series in the past, including one T-shirt bearing the slogan 'The Fitchuation,' it is all very suspect.

Sorrentino's co-star Pauly D pointed this fact out on Twitter after the news of the alleged deal broke, writing: 'Hmmm if They Don't Want Us To Wear Those Clothes Why Make GTL Shirts.'

GTL stands for the Jersey Shore catchphrase 'Gym, Tan and Laundry' - and another slogan T-shirt released by the brand.

The Situation was correct about the retail company suffering a loss.

According to CNN, Abercrombie & Fitch had a 10 per cent dip in stock after the news of their 'rift' with the reality star went public - and finished the day eight per cent lower than average.

The outlandish TV personality spends a lot of his time lifting his top on the red carpet to expose his famous stomach abdominal  muscles, frequently baring the A&F logo on the waistband of his underwear.

However, there is obviously a little favouritism, with 'classier' Hollywood stars being given the green light to continue promoting the label.

Jessica Biel, 29, is often seen in their attire while she walks her dogs and Hayden Panettiere was spotted last week leaving their store at the trendy Grove Shopping Center in Los Angeles clutching a large bag.

But it's not only Sorrentino who has been asked to stop wearing the brand.

Abercrombie & Fitch are appealing to all his co-stars, who are  often seen partying, drinking and fighting on the programme.