Chris Tarrant, 76, challenges boxing champ Tyson Fury, 35, to a FIGHT and threatens to ‘hit him with a lead pipe’ after being ‘riled up by row’ claims

Chris Tarrant sensationally challenged undefeated heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury to a fight live on Radio X Breakfast on Wednesday.

The presenter threatened to ‘hit him with a lead pipe’ in a playful interview when his son Toby – who replaced Chris Moyles – asked him about Tyson’s claims that they once had a ‘major argument’ at the Gleneagles hotel in Scotland.

Chris, 76, insisted Tyson, 35, claims they were in a lift together, but said: ‘I never spoke to him, I still never met him. He just wants cheap publicity.’

The former Who Wants To Be A Millionaire host said he is now “thrilled” and “excited” and it has brought out the “warrior” in him.

Toby asked his dad about the “fight” on the show, saying, “This is typical of my dad, I look away from him for a second and he gets into a fight with Tyson Fury.”

“Well, I’m very happy to say we have Dad on the phone now. Daddy, why are you starting a fight with the gypsy king? What is wrong with you? ‘

Chris said, “I didn’t actually start the fight…in fact, there was no fight, there was no big fight, I’ve never met this guy, but of course I wouldn’t pick a fight with the biggest man on the planet.” It is complete and utter nonsense!

“If it was a normal dude, and a normal boxer, or any other boxer, I’d say he’s had too many blows to the head, but no one ever hit Tyson on the head! He is six feet tall, you can’t get near him! No idea.

“I was in Gleneagles with my Mrs, we got into a crowded elevator, and you know you do that thing, everybody does it, you get in the elevator and you automatically look ahead at the doors, so I looked at the doors, I’m vaguely aware that there’s this huge kind of mountain at the back of this very busy elevator, and I get out and the doors close, and I said, “I think that was Tyson Fury in the elevator.”

“We’re going to dinner, I mean I was in the elevator for 30/45 seconds, I’m going to dinner and I say to the waitress girl, ‘Just out of interest, is Tyson Fury staying at this hotel?’ and she said, “I can’t tell you that,” and I said, “Well, he sure is.”

“I never spoke to him, I still never met him, so why? So weird. Is he trying to get me ready for the next fight? Is he trying to piss me off? It’s a little bit of publicity for him and everything, but there’s a point where, you know, it honestly starts to bring out the warrior in me. Oh come on, you can see past it, I’ll tell you something, I’m at the gym.’

When Toby compared Chris to Rocky, he said, “That’s me.” I have a plan, because this is going all the way right now, and it’s confusing me too.

“I just think he just wants cheap publicity from me, and I’m not getting it. I have a plan that I’m going to hide behind his dressing room door the night of the fight, and when he comes out I’m going to hit him with a lead pipe.”

Chris joked that he has no problem with Tyson’s family, just with the “big man himself.”

He said, ‘It’s all over, it’s night, Mr. Fury. And then I just hang up my dogs and go back to my quiet life. He shouldn’t have annoyed me, shouldn’t have injured me. No more Mr. Nice Guy Tyson.”

MailOnline has reached out to Tyson for further comment.

His words came after Tyson sensationally claimed on his new reality show that he once had a “big fight” during that trip to Gleneagles.

Chris spoke to MailOnline to label the story as ‘bullshit’ and said the two have ‘never met’.

Chris said, ‘It’s complete nonsense! I’ve never even met him. My wife and I got into a crowded elevator with Tyson in it. We didn’t even talk and I got out on the next floor.

‘There was no argument; not a word was exchanged and we never saw him again! So I still never met him. He’s one of the greatest boxers I’ve ever seen. Why on earth would I argue with him? This is nonsense.’

Tyson gave no further explanation, but giggled as he said the words.

The episode had begun when Tyson decided to take his father to Pompeii on a whim before changing his mind after Paris told him she always wanted to go.

As his father gets into his car to go to the airport, Tyson lies and tells him that the flight has been canceled before realizing that there are actually no more flights.

So he decides to take Paris to Scotland to get away from their six children for a few days – inspired by his previous trip there – but the next day he tells her he doesn’t want to leave.

Paris tells him, “If you don’t want to go, why don’t you just say you don’t want to go?”

He replies, ‘I don’t want to go. I do not care. I never want to go anywhere. You can’t do that with a six-hour drive. I’m not packing. I wear these clothes for three days, to train, eat, sleep and drink.

“I can’t believe we’re talking about it, discussing it, whatever you want to call it, and we’re not interested in it.”

As the couple embark on their journey to Scotland in their Lamborghini, things remain somewhat tense.

Paris tells the cameras, “Once he’s put in a bad mood, he can’t seem to get out like a normal person.”

“So he can make stress seem so stressful when there’s really nothing wrong.”

Back in the car, she asks him, “Why were you so moody?”

He replied, ‘I just don’t want to go. I could get more rest in my bedroom.’

Paris says, “Forget all worries and troubles. Just enjoy it now.’

He replies, “Enjoy what?”

“She says to him, ‘A break!’ with the scene ending with a furious look from her.

Fans have branded Paris a “saint” after watching the show.

The program, which debuted Wednesday, follows the world heavyweight champion as he leaves the ring and tries to embrace retirement with his family.

After watching the reality show, viewers heaped praise on mother-of-six Paris, who is currently expecting their seventh child, noting that she “has her hands full.”

Eager fans also shared their hopes for a second series of the entertaining show as they poured over the first nine-part episode.

On Twitter, one viewer wrote, “Home with the Furys, that’s me for 9pm. Brilliant show.’

Listen to Toby Tarrant on Radio X on Global Player