Iranian state TV has apologised after hosting a marriage counsellor who told women to kiss their husband's feet even if he beats them.

The 'expert' advised wives in the Islamic theocracy to put a bucket under their husband's feet while he is resting on the couch on a Friday afternoon.

'Slowly give him a foot massage, then dry his feet, and now this part: Kiss his feet,' she said, adding that the demonstration of love will relieve stress, prevent strokes and heart attacks and 'charge' a man for a month.

The 'expert' (pictured) advised wives in the Islamic theocracy to put a bucket under their husband's feet while he is resting on the couch on a Friday afternoon before treating him

'Slowly give him a foot massage, then dry his feet, and now this part: Kiss his feet,' she said, adding that the demonstration of love will relieve stress, prevent strokes and heart attacks and 'charge' a man for a month

She added, according to Radio Free Europe: 'Even if your husband is a drug addict, if he beats you - just do it and you will see a miracle in your life.'

The outrageous remarks, broadcast in Yazd province, led to an apology being issued on Tuesday by semi-official news agency ISNA.

Officials promised 'planning and greater attention in content delivery' after conceding the 'fragmented comments' had led to multiple complaints.

The apology came after many Iranians took to social media to blast the advice.

One, Negin Lajevardi, was amazed that the remarks were 'so bad' that they forced the broadcaster to make an apology, a rarity in authoritarian Iran.

She added that the programme was 'horrible'.

The journalist Isa Saharkhiz - who has previously been imprisoned for his criticism of the Islamic regime - mocked the so-called expert's marriage advice.

Alongside a clip of the broadcast, he wrote: 'If you want your man to be energised for a month, follow the expert's advice.'

The outrageous remarks, broadcast in Yazd province, led to an apology being issued on Tuesday by semi-official news agency ISNA

It comes after Iranian authorities said 25 people died and over 3,000 people were arrested during recent unrest, which lasted for more than a week and then subsided.

Most of those arrested have been released but around 300 remain in jail facing charges, Iran's interior minister said last week.

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards put down the protests, which were initially sparked by soaring food prices and high unemployment but then turned political when protesters in several cities called on clerical rulers to step down.