John Humphrys jokes about dancer punching wife in live BBC radio interview with Tory MP David Davis

BBC presenter John Humphrys joked with Tory MP David Davis about a male dancer punching his female partner during an interview on Radio 4’s Today programme.

The pair were referencing a news story about an incident which occurred at the World Tango Championships.

A Russian participant was disqualified from the competition for violence against his wife, who is also his dance partner.

Kicking off the interview, the former Brexit secretary told BBC presenter John Humphrys “I guess this is our last tango” .

The comment, a reference to Mr Humphrys’ imminent retirement, immediately followed a news segment which included the World Tango Championships story.

Mr Humphrys chucked and replied: “It is... but I promise not to punch you if you don’t punch me.”

“Ah, very good,” Mr Davis added.

The exchange prompted anger online, with Chris Bryant, the Labour MP for Rhondda, saying: “How on earth can it be right for John Humphrys to JOKE about a man punching his tango partner? #timetogojohn”

Kay Burley, a journalist at Sky News, said: “I really, really like John Humphrys. I really, really don’t like him making jokes about a woman being punched by her dance partner.”

The Russian dancer punched his wife after the pair took part in the semi-finals of the World Tango Championships, which are being held in Buenos Aires.

Organisers condemned the assault and assisted the woman, according to the AFP news agency.

The pair have not been publicly named.

Mr Humphrys, 75, is expected to retire from hosting the Today programme later this year.

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The BBC has been contacted for comment.