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

‘I promise not to punch you if you don’t punch me,’ says veteran BBC presenter

BBC presenter John Humphrys has been criticised after joking with Tory MP David Davis about a male dancer punching his female partner.

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.

“I guess this is our last tango,” the former Brexit secretary told Mr Humphrys, kicking off the Radio 4 interview.

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

Mr Humphrys chuckled 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, tweeting: “How on earth can it be right for John Humphrys to JOKE about a man punching his tango partner?”

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-final of the 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, 76, is expected to retire from hosting the Today programme later this year.

The BBC has been contacted for comment.