Veteran sports broadcaster Garry Richardson was accused of 'mansplaining' by Sarah Montague when he advised her what to ask world champion Adam Peaty's mother in an interview.

The 22-year-old Olympic champion retained both his 50m and 100m breaststroke titles in Budapest and broke his own world record in the 50m twice on Tuesday.

After the race Peaty said his family being there had inspired him to swim faster.

Sarah Montague accused Radio 4 Today sports presenter Garry Richardson of 'mansplaining'

Towards the end of Radio 4's Today programme Richardson told listeners Montague was interviewing Peaty's mother Caroline.

However his plug for her interview live on air went wrong when she accused him of 'mansplaining'.

He said: 'It's been a great week for Adam Peaty, who has won a second gold medal at this week's World Championships. His time just outside the world record. We will have more on that story, I think Sarah is going to be speaking to Adam Peaty's mum.

'Peaty was saying that because his family were there, that's why he swam faster, so that's a possible question for you, Sarah.'

Montague replied: 'Thanks, thanks very much for mansplaining that.'

Backtracking, Richardson, a 35-year veteran of the programme, said: 'No, the thing is we were going to have a little clip, but we haven't quite got time, so I thought I'd mention it.'

Montague responded: 'You would fill it in by briefing me?' Richardson seemed to back down, adding, 'and wasting time'.

Richardson's plug for Montague's interview with Olympic champion swimmer Adam Peaty's mother live on air went wrong

Listeners praised Montague for her quick-fire reply to Richardson.

'Mansplaining' is used to describe men who explain something, usually to women, in a patronising way.

One said: '''Thanks for mansplaining that'' Wonderful @Sarah_Montague to Garry Richardson @BBCr4today Oh yes!'

Another commented: 'Nice one Sarah. Mansplaining indeed. Gave me my first giggle of the day. Brilliant.'

Montague was praised for her stance against the veteran sports broadcaster live on air

Alison Fordham‏ said: 'Love Sarah Montague even more for calling Gary Richardson out with "thanks for mansplaining that to me"'.

Others suggested the sports presenter had been 'burnt' by her response.

However some accused Montague of herself making a 'sexist attack on a sports reporter by accusing him of mansplaining when he is doing his job and informing listeners'.

Another asked her: 'I heard your accusation of 'mansplaining' on Radio 4 today . I find this deeply offensive and sexist! Will you retract/apologise?'

She replied saying, 'no'.

When the presenter was asked whether she would apologise, she emphatically replied 'no'

Earlier this month it was revealed Montague - who has been at the Today programme for more than a decade - was absent from the BBC rich list because she does not make £150,000.

Yet her male Today co-host John Humphrys is one of the BBC's best paid talents, bringing in up to £650,000.

Montague is one of 44 well-known female presenters who have since written to the BBC boss demanding urgent action.

In their open letter, the women said they are taking action now so 'future generations' of BBC women won't face gender discrimination.

Lord Hall said, when the salary list was published, the BBC needed to move more quickly on issues of gender and diversity.

THE OPEN LETTER IN FULL Dear Tony, The pay details released in the Annual report showed what many of us have suspected for many years... that women at the BBC are being paid less than men for the same work. Compared to many women and men, we are very well compensated and fortunate. However, this is an age of equality and the BBC is an organisation that prides itself on its values. You have said that you will “sort" the gender pay gap by 2020, but the BBC has known about the pay disparity for years. We all want to go on the record to call upon you to act now. Beyond the list, there are so many other areas including production, engineering and support services and global, regional and local media where a pay gap has languished for too long. This is an opportunity for those of us with strong and loud voices to use them on behalf of all, and for an organisation that had to be pushed into transparency to do the right thing. We would be willing to meet you to discuss ways in which you can correct this disparity so that future generations of women do not face this kind of discrimination. Yours sincerely Aasmah Mir, Katya Adler, Anita Anand, Wendy Austin, Samira Ahmed, Clare Balding, Emma Barnett, Zeinab Badawi, Sue Barker, Fiona Bruce, Rachel Burden, Annabel Croft, Martine Croxall, Victoria Derbyshire, Lyse Doucet, Jane Garvey, Joanna Gosling, Fi Glover, Carrie Gracie, Orla Guerin, Geeta Guru-murthy, Karin Giannone, Mishal Husain, Lucy Hockings, Alex Jones, Kirsty Lang, Gabby Logan, Martha Kearney, Carolyn Quinn, Kasia Madera, Katty Kay, Emily Maitlis, Louise Minchin, Sarah Montague, Jenni Murray, Annita McVeigh, Elaine Paige, Sally Nugent, Angela Rippon, Ritula Shah, Sarah Smith, Kate Silverton, Charlotte Smith, Kirsty Wark Advertisement