Olympics presenter Clare Balding was previously the victim of a vile “dyke” insult – and she soon did something about it.
The telly favourite was embroiled in a furious row back in 2010 when a newspaper columnist allegedly made “homophobic” remarks about her sexuality.
As a result, she lodged a complaint with the Press Complaints Commission. And luckily the end result “delighted” Clare – who is hosting the Olympics today (August 11).
Clare was not impressed over a remark made by a journalist (Credit: ITV)
Olympics host Clare Balding furious over ‘homophobic’ insult
In 2010, the Sunday Times’ TV and restaurant critic, AA Gill reviewed Clare’s new programme, Britain by Bike.
Not impressed with the terminology used in the review, Clare complained to the newspaper’s editor, John Witherow, about the article and its tone. However, John’s response left her horrified.
AA Gill had written: “Some time ago, I made a cheap and frankly unnecessary joke about Clare Balding looking like a big lesbian. And afterwards somebody tugged my sleeve to point out that she is a big lesbian.”
After a mock apology, he continued: “Now back to the dyke on a bike, puffing up the nooks and crannies at the bottom end of the nation.”
Clare ‘appalled’ by response
Clare was quick to complain to John Witherow. However, she was “appalled” after reading his reply.
He said: “In my view some members of the gay community need to stop regarding themselves as having a special victim status and behave like any other sensible group that is accepted by society. Not having a privileged status means, of course, one must accept occasionally being the butt of jokes. A person’s sexuality should not give them a protected status.
“Jeremy Clarkson, perhaps the epitome of the heterosexual male, is constantly jeered at for his dress sense (lack of), adolescent mindset and hairstyle. He puts up with it as a presenter’s lot. And in this context I hardly think that AA Gill’s remarks were particularly cruel. Especially as he ended by so warmly endorsing you as a presenter.”
The TV star made a complaint (Credit: ITV)
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