BBC’s John Humphrys is slammed for not taking domestic violence seriously after joking with David Davis about Russian dancer who punched his wife
- John Humphrys, 76, laughed with the Tory MP guest over a headline about the dancer who was disqualified from a competition
- The exchange was criticised by both listeners and Humphrys’ BBC colleagues
- This is the latest controversy over comments made by the veteran broadcaster
John Humphrys was accused of trivialising domestic violence yesterday after cracking a joke about a Russian dancer who punched his wife.
Talking to Tory MP David Davis on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he laughed at a headline about the dancer, who was disqualified from a competition after the punch.
Mr Davis, 70, then replied: ‘I guess this is our last tango,’ in a reference to Humphrys impending retirement as a Today presenter after 32 years.
John Humphrys was accused of trivialising domestic violence yesterday after cracking a joke about a Russian dancer who punched his wife
Tory MP David Davis, 70, joined the host on Radio 4’s Today programme
Still laughing, Humphrys, 76, said: ‘It is indeed.
‘But I promise not to punch you if you don’t punch me.’
The exchange was immediately criticised by listeners and some of Humphrys’ BBC colleagues.
Radio 4 host Jane Garvey said she had ‘no words’ about the comments and Sky presenter Kay Burley said: ‘Domestic violence is not a laughing matter.’
Sandra Horley, of charity Refuge, added: ‘Domestic abuse is never a joke, is never acceptable, and should never be normalised.’
This is the latest in a string of controversies over comments by the veteran broadcaster, who last week was called sexist for saying women are better at caring for babies than men.