Rider on the storm

He announced too on live television before an international rugby game, that the referee was French so “anything could happen”.

The famous fashion designer David Emanuel declared on Twitter in 2018:  “Surely, there HAS to be another Welsh RugbyCommentator instead of Jonathan Davies??? Irritating.  TalksTooMuch. Tired. WakeUpPlease!!@BBCSport @BBCCymruWales”, with key words ‘hashtagged’.

But Mr Davies has long been a headline-grabbing figure, and rugby has not always been at the heart of events.

He was also accused on social media of being ‘misleading’, publishing ‘rubbish’ and ‘ranting’, after stating that controversial plans to re-develop a Cardiff cancer hospital would leave 60 per cent of a meadow available to walkers when campaigners say surveys have indicated all will be destroyed, it has emerged.

Contradicting Mr Davies, one campaigner declared about the project to re-develop Velindre Hospital: “The whole area will be bulldozed, £27 million of public money just to access this unsuitable site…” 

Another cautioned:  “Let’s talk Jonathan, not rant.”

Mr Davies (who’s nickname is ‘Jiffy’) is President of Velindre Fundraising and demanded of one of the campaigners:  “Have you or anyone close to you ever been unfortunate enough to have cancer?” 

But the advocate for a green space in that part of the city hit back, and said:  “Absolutely yes, many of those opposing the site are current patients at Velindre”.

Warnings were repeated too about the hazards involved in the misuse of fire extinguishers after experts were shown shocking pictures from a video of Mr Davies using one to spray into the face of former international referee, Nigel Owens, as he sat in his car while another person filming the dangerous stunt laughed.

The escapade in the car park of an independent TV facilities house near BBC Cymru Wales (BBC CW) in Llandaff, Cardiff, in 2014 was condemned as “incredibly dangerous”, and it prompted a series of outraged comments at the time on a sports Facebook (FB) site.

One critic said:  “…did he give any thought to what injuries he may have caused?…We all like a good laugh sadly this isn’t it”. Another declared that Mr Davies was a “fucking prick”, a further detractor stated that he didn’t think “people realise how dangerous CO2 extinguishers are”.

More observations about the risky ‘prank’ were also put on the FB site, including:  “That’s disgus(t)ing my brother was sprayed in the face with one of them and was temporarily blinded for several days the dipstick wants to be ashamed of himself”. Another said “absolute knob footie fans don’t get away with that behaviour”. Further remarks were made, such as “If I done that at work I’d get the sack !!!  Knob”, and “Irresponsible”.

In the clip now on YouTube, Mr Owens escapes from the car running, but Mr Davies uses the fire extinguisher again as the person filming it exclaims in Welsh “OH, NO!”, and Mr Owens then shouts “IDIOT!” at him pointing.

After stills were displayed from the film shot six years ago, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service issued its stern warning about the misuse of fire extinguishers.

A spokesperson told The Eye: “CO2 extinguishers can prove hazardous as they rapidly remove the oxygen from the atmosphere, therefore increasing the risk of asphyxiation when used in confined space.

“CO2 can also cause cold burns if a person holds or comes in contact with the discharging horn of the extinguisher.”

The spokesperson joined a chorus of more recent disapproval about Mr Davies who has faced huge criticism following statements which have included calling an MP in Wales a “knob”.

Mr Davies took to Twitter himself to post a fake picture of one critic, a well-known Welsh rugby fan, wearing a Pontypridd RFC shirt but he was then slammed for “essentially fat shaming someone because they disagree with them”, and the observer linked the comment to @BBCSport @BBCNews 5liveSport and @BBCWalesNews, saying they should be “embarrassed”, and that it was a “Dick move”.

On social media he has recently sent a picture of himself with no clothes on to TV and radio star Carol Vorderman.

He also used Twitter in the past to brand Rhondda MP Chris Bryant a “knob” for asking about childcare during a highly-unusual debate in the commons on the ‘deal’ with the European Union (EU), and said that Mr Bryant was “not in touch with reality” with his question in the Houses of Parliament.

Earlier the fury of Mr Davies had too been directed at journalist Marcus Stead who had criticised what he views as the Welsh establishment.

He engaged in an extraordinary spat with him, again using Twitter, in which he branded Mr Stead, an “attention seeking nobody”, a “sad pathetic waste of time” and ‘hashtagged’ the words “absolute bell end”.

A Welsh newspaper columnist and broadcaster who saw the tweets said it was a “badge of Welsh honour” to be blocked by Mr Stead, although he has never blocked Mr Davies.

Mr Davies represented Wales in rugby league as well as union and has been described as the greatest player of his generation.

But it seems his present commentary style is not so great, according to rugby fans who say he is “shit”…