Tom Sunderland
·4-min read
BBC stalwart Clare Balding is not for the first time facing a backlash for her remarks to Team GB legend Rebecca Adlington at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The esteemed presenter expressed her surprise when she learned the retired swimmer had not been visited by an Olympic athlete at school. This prompted criticism from viewers, many of whom pointed to the incident as evidence of those in privileged positions being out of touch with everyday people.
The comments made by the daughter of racehorse trainer Ian Balding and descendant to the 14th Earl of Huntingdon quickly raised eyebrows. Colleague Gabby Logan jumped to Balding's defence, hailing her as a "great broadcaster" and professing love for her fellow presenter.
This misstep is unlikely to taint Balding's impressive career permanently considering she has navigated similar controversies in the past. And The Mirror reviewed those more notable blips, from awkward "third leg" gaffes to unfortunate Wimbledon coverage.
READ MORE: Gabby Logan defends Clare Balding and BBC after criticism over 'incredulous' Olympics comment
READ MORE: BBC Olympics presenter Clare Balding's shoplifting shame and cancer battle
Olympic outrage
At the heart of the most recent furore was Balding's remarks to Adlington, who famously scooped two gold medals in Beijing 2008. Concerning her lack of up-close interaction with Olympians as a schoolchild, Balding couldn't believe Adlington wasn't exposed to a privilege she herself seemingly was.
"What? No [Olympians] visited your school," she queried the swimming legend during a recent exchange on the BBC. Her response, filled with genuine surprise at Adlington's revelation, spoke volumes to some viewers, one of whom suggested it "summed up the establishment perspective."
"Of course, Balding was incredulous, because she was exposed to this cultural capital and experience from birth," continued the same critic on X. "Her surprise was due to exposure to an experience not her own, but normal to 95 per cent of the country. . ."
Balding sought to salvage the situation by lauding Adlington for her dedicated work visiting schools since becoming a household name in her own right. However, many couldn't help but fixate on the comments that highlighted the class divide that's so relevant in the British climate today.
Jockey teeth taunt
Balding's strangest on-air jibe occurred she was was interviewing Grand National-winning jockey Liam Treadwell in the wake of his greatest triumph. It was right after his 2009 victory on Mon Mome that she decided to focus on Treadwell's teeth, and her remarks attracted nearly 2,000 Ofcom complaints.
"Just give us a big grin to the camera," she told Treadwell, who died in June 2020. Unsatisfied with the jockey's restrained grin, she continued: "No, no, let's see your teeth. He hasn't got the best teeth in the world, but you can afford to go and get them done now if you like."
Treadwell's mother, Lorraine, expressed her dismay at the comments made by Balding and said she was "shocked" by the interview. The BBC issued a statement apologising in response and confirming Balding had personally offered an apology to Treadwell.
'Third leg' hysterics
The incident involving Balding and her "third leg" comment to British swimmer Matt Richards still brings a smile to some. It took place after Richards and team-mate Tom Dean secured gold in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Balding, 53, was interviewing the pair when she pointed out to Richards that his "third leg was just phenomenal." Given the risque interpretation of that term, the quip caused Richards to momentarily struggle for composure before responding.
Following Balding's remark, social media saw a flurry of playful reactions with many embracing the humour in her words. If any viewer was perturbed, Balding could at least claim it as a harmless pun given the term had both a cheeky side and a literal truth to it.
Wimbledon woes
When Balding stepped into Sue Barker's shoes as the lead presenter for the BBC's Wimbledon coverage last year, not everyone was amused by her interviewing approach. Some viewers expressed that she didn't allow her interviewees enough time to answer, while she was also accused of a perceived lack of professionalism and getting athletes' names wrong.
"Why are people being so nasty towards Stefanos [Tsitsipas] and [Paula] Badosa? Leave them be," one viewer remarked at the time amid the constant coverage of the tennis duo's relationship at the time. "Very poor professionalism from Claire Balding to be mocking them in their videos."
Another social media user expressed frustration and said: "For goodness sake, stop Claire Balding blurting out the results of matches. She spoilt for us watching Broady-Ruud on WIMBLEDON TODAY #Wimbledon."
During the initial days of Balding's stint as Barker's successor, some BBC viewers pined for the now-retired presenter, especially when there was confusion over channels for a match between Jasmine Paolini and Petra Kvitova. Instead of the live match, BBC Two aired a highlights programme, leaving fans disappointed and Balding red in the face.
