SHE is the acidic queen of stand-up from the mean streets of Brooklyn. He is the black power activist who lectures the world from Brixton. But when Joan Rivers met Darcus Howe it produced a conflagration that rocked Radio 4’s genteel corridors.

It should have been just another amiable edition of Midweek, the morning show which promises “lively and diverse conversation”. The world’s leading plant photographer was primed to reveal the mysteries of her craft while Jackie Collins name-checked Halle Berry and sprinkled trashy Hollywood anecdotes.

Enter Mr Howe, the Trinidad-born presenter of provocative programmes such as Who You Callin’ A Nigger?

Ms Rivers, 72, in Britain on her “first farewell tour”, was forced to listen in silence while Mr Howe described his attempts to build a relationship with his youngest son, one of seven children from four mothers, with whom he had infrequent contact.

When Mr Howe said that racial persecution had been a permanent feature of his life, even from his white wife, he lobbed a stick of gelignite across the studio. Giving full rein to her famous sandpaper rasp, Ms Rivers told Mr Howe to stop getting hung up on race and inflicting his own black-and-white worldview on his children.

Mr Howe interpreted this to mean Ms Rivers had a problem with the word “black”. The caustic Jewish comedian, who believes no subject is beyond comedy, exploded in anger.

Shocked but fascinated listeners to the live broadcast heard the row continue for a full ten minutes as Ms Rivers accused Mr Howe of being a deadbeat dad while Ms Purves gamely acted as a peacekeeping Oprah.

A browbeaten Mr Howe eventually conceded an apology, which Ms Rivers accepted by saying he could now carry on and plug his “stupid” film about his son, shown on the More4 channel tonight.

Both parties eagerly renewed hostilities after the bout. Mr Howe told The Times: “I talked to her like I would to an irrational grandmother. The woman is barking to say that we can all get together and live as one and all that crap.”

Mr Howe said he knew he was in trouble when Ms Rivers arrived “with an entourage of 28 make-up advisers” (she actually came with three people).

Ms Rivers told The Times: “How dare he call me a racist? It’s only by a freak of nature that my daughter is white. I’ve had affairs with black men. I look forward to ending my tour in ‘Whitepool’.”

Callers after the show praised an “interesting piece of radio”.

THE TRANSCRIPT

Darcus Howe: I have been persecuted by everyone. I have to educate my wife about black people.

Joan Rivers: I’m so bored with race.

DH What are you talking about?

JR Race doesn’t mean a damn thing. It’s about people.

DH There are thousands of . . . let’s say “Caribbean” children since “black” offends Joan . . .

JR Just stop right now. Black does not offend me. How dare you? How dare you say that? Black offends me? You know nothing about me, you just sat down here, how dare you?

DH The use of the term black offends you.

JR The use of the term black offends me? Where the hell are you coming from? You’ve got such a chip on your shoulder. I don’t give a damn if you’re black or white.

DH I do.

JR I couldn’t care less, it’s what the person is. Don’t you dare call me a racist. I want an apology.

Libby Purves I don’t think he meant it personally.

JR I think it was.

DH (to Rivers) You have a language problem.

JR No I don’t. You had a child, you left them. Your wife said you weren’t there. You deserted them. Now your son comes back, you got problems. Where were you when he was growing up?

DH May I continue?

JR Don’t you dare call me a racist. How dare you?

LP I have great sympathy with both sides but I’m starting to feel like Oprah.

JR Both sides?! I abhor racists. Don’t you dare call me that . . . son of a bitch. (Pause)

LP Right, Darcus . . .

JR Yes, please continue with this wonderful father who left his children.

LP Darcus, can we just say that you don’t think Joan is a racist?

DH I don’t know whether she is a racist or not. I don’t care. Normally I wouldn’t ever meet you in my life.

JR No, normally I wouldn’t choose to meet you.

DH No, she’s not a racist.

JR Now we can talk about his stupid film.

DH I don’t think you brought me here to be insulted.

JR Nor did I come here to be insulted by someone, to be called a racist.

LP Andrea, shall we talk about plant photography?

Andrea Jones Please.

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