John Inverdale's C-word slip gives BBC listeners an earful
Inverdale joins an exclusive club of presenters who have inadvertently befouled the airwaves
Listeners to BBC Radio Five Live's coverage of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday got more than they bargained for during an interview featuring presenter John Inverdale, former jockey John Francome and current rider Lizzie Kelly.
Having listened to Francome ruminate on life as a jockey in his era – "You get wet, you're mucking out and it's hard work" – Inverdale declared: "This is looking at it through rose-c***ed … rose-tinted glasses from the past."
As Francome guffawed in amazement, Inverdale quickly corrected himself, stammering: "[I] apologise there for a slip of the tongue, but Lizzie, your love of the sport just shines through."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Kelly, to her credit, hardly skipped a beat in answering enthusiastically in the affirmative, and Inverdale, trouper that he is, managed to finish the broadcast without further expletives.
A BBC spokesman later brushed off the faux-pas, explaining: "It was a slip of the tongue and John apologised immediately afterwards."
Inverdale has previous when it comes to assaulting the airwaves. During the 2013 Wimbledon tennis championships he outraged viewers by declaring that ladies' champion Marion Bartoli "was never going to be a looker". As a punishment Five Live replaced him with Clare Balding as its lead presenter for last year's tournament.
Other than Inverdale's invective, the first day of the Cheltenham Festival was notable for Faugheen's victory in the Champion Hurdle.
Ridden by Ruby Walsh, the seven-year-old race favourite led home Arctic Fire and Hurricane Fly, making it a glorious one-two-three for trainer Willie Mullins. That meant there was no fairytale finish for AP McCoy, riding in his last Champion Hurdle, as he came home in fourth on Jezki.
"Faugheen is an incredible little horse," said Walsh, who also won the Novices Hurdle by four-and-a-half lengths on 2-1 favourite Douvan. Two more horses from Mullins' stable won races on the first day of the festival, to leave the 58-year-old Irishman delighted. "It's unbelievable to have four winners in one day," he exclaimed. "I keep thinking this is not real and it won't last forever, so I'm going to enjoy it now."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
'People in general want workers to earn a decent living'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Klopp’s unwanted record as Liverpool lose again at Anfield
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Tiger Woods and Tom Brady
By Mike Starling Published