Cornwall veteran to represent UK in sport she dislikes
She added: "For me, it's not about going out there to win a medal with the swimming. "My medal, for myself, will be that I put my costume on, I've stood out up there, I've got in the pool, I've swam that length and got out the other side." Ms Whyatt now works as a lead instructor with Active Plus, a community interest company that sees veterans use their experiences to inspire others.
The Cornish veteran left the military following a misdiagnosed hip injury. She said: "I was being rehabilitated to build my muscles up around that but what was actually happening was the hip bone was fracturing open the more that I worked on it."I was medically discharged after 21 years, so being told that, having that decision made for me and not by myself, that affected my mental health."I realised I had to think of something else to do and start a new life."Discussing the upcoming games, she admitted that it had "not quite hit" yet. She said: "I think, for a few of us, we've said the opening ceremony when we walk out on to the stage and we parade as Team UK, I think that's when it's going to hit."When we look up and realise everyone is there for us."
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Daily Mirror
13-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Clare Balding's famous partner and TV comment that sparked Ofcom complaints
Wimbledon presenter Clare Balding has become one of the UK's most popular broadcasters over the past two decades, while her private life has also become the subject of much intrigue Clare Balding is once again in the thick of things this summer as she leads the BBC's Wimbledon coverage. With three decades of experience under her belt, Balding has become one of the most recognised and respected faces on British television. She has previously fronted the BBC's coverage of high-profile sporting events such as the Olympics, Grand National and the Commonwealth Games. This evening, she will be at the forefront of the broadcaster's coverage of SW19, where Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will face off in the men's final. Given Balding 's rise in prominence, there has naturally been an increased interest in her personal life, with her romantic relationships and occasional controversies attracting public attention. And we will now look to provide an in-depth insight into Balding's world beyond the cameras. Who is Clare Balding married to? Balding met her wife, fellow presenter Alice Arnold, in 1999 while they were both working for the BBC. Initially close friends, their romantic relationship began in 2002 when a national publication disclosed Balding's sexuality to the public. The couple made their relationship official with a civil partnership in 2006 and later married in a private ceremony in 2015, following the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the UK. Their wedding was subsequently backdated to honour their original 2006 pledge. Reflecting on her first meeting with Alice, Balding admitted that she was immediately drawn to her at a BBC programme, despite not knowing who she was. "I saw her and thought 'Oh, she's really interesting and rather beautiful'," she recalled. "We started chatting and she's very funny. We were friends for at least two years." Balding, 53, described her partner as "fiercely loyal", adding: "She would protect me and it's an incredible quality to have. It's like having your own little guard dog - it's amazing." Alice has had a successful career in her own right as a broadcaster for the BBC, including an impressive 18-year stint on BBC Radio 4. Balding has had relationships with men in the past and was even proposed to by one of her former boyfriends. She turned down the proposal and has no regrets about it, later learning that he went on to "behave appallingly". "I had a few boyfriends, not like loads. But I had one very serious boyfriend for two or three years," she explained. "He asked me to marry him and he was in the Army and he was going off. And I thought 'he's only asking me because he thinks he's in danger and, according to romantic films, I'm meant to say yes at this point'. "I knew I didn't want to. I said 'Look, that's a lovely thing to say but ask me again when you come back'. When he came back he didn't ask me again, and I thought ''Thank God''. I thought 'I don't trust you and I'll never trust you' - and funnily enough I was absolutely spot on as his ex-wife told me not that long ago." She continued: "That relationship ended not very well with him behaving appallingly. I think I was damaged by that, but that doesn't make you gay. I just think when I first fell in love with a woman it was completely different." Cancer diagnosis In 2009, Balding shared her thyroid cancer diagnosis. The presenter spotted the warning signs, including a noticeable lump on her neck, while viewing herself on screen - symptoms which can encompass a lingering sore throat and trouble swallowing. After undergoing surgery to remove a cyst, her thyroid gland and a lymph node, she was treated with radioactive iodine to halt the cancer's spread. Despite concerns over the potential impact on her voice and career, she fortunately received the all-clear by the end of 2010. Discussing her experience, Balding said: "I had to have a little operation just before Christmas to take out a nasty little lymph node and there was a worry that I might have to have more treatment." She also shared some positive news: "But I had a lovely letter from my oncologist just after Christmas saying, 'Hurrah, no more treatment', so I'm very happy about that. 2011 is going to be a good one." Looking back on her battle, she admitted going through a "dark stage" because of her health struggles but came out with a renewed outlook on life, admitting: "When I recovered, my attitude to life changed. I feel happy most days, grateful for all I have." Broadcasting controversies Despite being one of Britain's esteemed presenters, Balding found herself embroiled in controversy during the 2024 Paris Olympics coverage. During a chat with former Olympic swimming champion Rebecca Adlington on air, Balding was surprised to learn no Olympic athletes had visited Adlington's school in her youth, which led to accusations of classism from viewers. The topic arose when pundit Mark Foster spoke about being "inspired" by meeting Duncan Goodhew at his swimming club as a child. Having asked if Adlington had a similar encounter, she answered: "To be fair, I didn't have somebody like that," to which a clearly astonished Balding, who had a private education, asked: "No one came to your school?!" Her remark sparked indignation among some viewers, with one commenting: "Of course Balding thought it TOTALLY NORMAL for Olympic medal winners to visit schools - because being privately educated and descended from nobility and privilege, this kind of thing is part of the cultural experience they expect." However, Balding's BBC colleague Gabby Logan came to her defence. She responded to a critical comment with: "I'm sure lots of what you say may be true about private school experiences, but it's certainly not true about the whole of the BBC. I went to a state school nobody visited, teachers were striking in the 80's, and no school trips. NB 'Speakers for Schools' is great charity." Logan added "Also to be clear I love my colleague and she's a great broadcaster. But a sweeping statement about the BBC needed addressing. Look at our OG line up across the day, we are a mixed bag from different backgrounds bringing all our many experiences to the way we communicate." It wasn't Balding's first encounter with public outrage. She once made a notorious comment to the late jockey Liam Treadwell after he won the Grand National, where she said jokingly that now he could afford dental treatment, commenting: "Liam, just give us a big grin to the camera, 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, who sadly passed away in 2020 at the age of 34, took the comment with grace, responding: "Well I could do, but I ain't complaining. It might be bringing on bad luck if I do that, though." However, viewers reacted badly to the exchange, leading to over 2,000 complaints being lodged with Ofcom. Balding showed regret for her comments, admitting: "It was a terrible thing to do. It coincided with my illness and I believed that was it for me – I would never work again. It was inexcusable and it taught me a big lesson."
South Wales Argus
10-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Representing England one of best life moments, says Whyatt
For women's football pioneer Sue Whyatt, representing England remains one of the best moments of her life, even including having children.. The Macclesfield-born goalkeeper was a member of the England women's national team in 1972 and while she made just one appearance for her country, she was part of a trailblazing group of women who paved the way for today's current success. 'To actually stand on the pitch with an England shirt on and hear the national anthem play, it wasn't just a few tears, I could barely speak,' recalled Whyatt. 'I was only the substitute but just the feeling to stand there on that pitch. 'The fact that they won and I was there and wearing an England shirt, that was good enough for me. I never thought I would do anything like that. It was absolutely brilliant. 'As I always tell my kids, they're great, they're brilliant and I love them to bits but they don't come near to standing on that pitch in an England shirt hearing the national anthem. That's how much it meant to us.' With women's football rapidly growing in visibility, the pioneering side received their England caps in front of a sold-out Wembley in 2022. This summer, White Stuff are refocusing the limelight on the foremothers of women's football in their latest heartfelt campaign as they celebrate the women who paved the way. For Whyatt, that journey began on the streets outside her house where she first fell in love with the game. 'There were lads in my road who, after the 1966 World Cup, were always out playing football, so I started playing football with them,' she said. 'I was always put in goal, mostly because it was two grids and it was diving on concrete. 'But the lads were always great with me and after a bit they always called for me to go out. We just had a great time and I just really enjoyed that. 'Football lights a fire in me and I like the physical part of it.' Soon, Whyatt joined local side Macclesfield Ladies and all that diving on concrete had stood her in good stead as she had trials to play for England. Impressing the coaches despite still being just 16, she was called up as reserve goalkeeper for England women's first football recognised international football match against Scotland at Ravenscraig Stadium. White Stuff are celebrating the foremothers of women's football in their latest heartfelt campaign as they celebrate the women who paved the way. (Image: White Stuff) 'I found out through a letter. I ran upstairs to tell my dad because he's always encouraged me playing football,' Whyatt remembered. 'It was the most wonderful thing in the world. I couldn't believe it for ages. 'I couldn't wait to find out if Janet Baggaley, who also played for Macclesfield had got in. We both got in and when we went to our team to tell them, they couldn't have been happier for us. They were great. '[The lads I played with] were really great, sending me messages and giving me a pat on the back. They liked to say, 'That's because we taught you well.'' While Whyatt never dreamed of getting the recognition that the 1972 team are being celebrated with now, her contribution to the game, as well as that of her teammates, is undeniable. She came on as a substitute in an 8-0 England win in 1973 before swapping football for a job as a police officer, where she became the first female dog handler in her county. A true pioneer on and off the field, Whyatt's legacy continues to benefit women's football in England while she remains grateful for the team - and friendships - she found. 'It's great to see all the recognition we're getting but we just wanted to play for our country. We never thought of getting any accolades for it,' she said. 'I was really grateful to be part of this team and now as good friends that is one of the best things to have come out of it.' On a mission to champion independent spirits, White Stuff is known for putting real people of all ages and backgrounds at the heart of their brand. Their latest campaign celebrates the groundbreaking journey of England's trailblazing 1972 women's football team, with the aim of inspiring the next generation:
Spectator
09-07-2025
- Spectator
Does AI belong on the tennis court?
The evidence was clear, the official had dropped a clanger. At 4-4 in the first set of the women's match at Wimbledon last Sunday, the British player Sonay Kartal should have had her serve broken when she hit a backhand long. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova saw the ball land well out of court, as did those watching the replay, but the line judge remained mute. 'Replay the point,' the umpire said, leading the Russian to complain that 'they stole the game'. This nameless offender – let's call him Hugh after Hugh Cannaby-Serious, the official who used to wind up John McEnroe – was napping. It turned out that Hugh had been switched off for a few points. Robots can be human too. Cameras have replaced line judges at Wimbledon after 148 years. Using Hawk-Eye technology that is said to be accurate to within 3mm, it gives more reliable calls than the human eye and is faster than the challenge system used since 2007, when players could appeal a debatable call to the camera. If Hugh says it's out, it's out. Some players disagree. Emma Raducanu complained of 'dodgy' decisions in her third-round match and Jack Draper, her fellow Brit, grumbled that it was not 100 per cent reliable. Compare that, however, to human eyesight: an analysis of 1,500 challenges at 15 tournaments in 2008 found that while line judges got the close calls (balls that land within 10cm of a line) right 92 per cent of the time, on shots where there was a challenge the accuracy fell to 61 per cent. Still pretty good when we're talking about the width of a few blades of grass, but far from perfect. Wimbledon has followed the US and Australian Opens, though the French hold out, as well as many top tournaments. Players generally accept the robot's decision. We're yet to see one kick Hugh after a bad call, as the Argentinian player David Nalbandian did to a line judge at Queen's in 2012. Nor has a camera official been arrested on suspicion of murdering their husband, as once happened to a line judge during the US Open. The first attempt at electronic judgment in tennis came 50 years ago, when Geoffrey Grant and Robert Nicks invented the Electroline, which used plastic pressure sensors below the surface that could differentiate between the kiss of a tennis ball and the thud of a trainer. 'Is the linesman obsolete?' asked a headline in Tennis magazine in 1975. It was not reliable enough, but the Cyclops system, which used infrared beams to judge the service line, was used at Wimbledon from 1980. Technology has long been used to improve decisions in sport. Instant replay was first deployed in an American army-navy football match in 1963. 'This is not live,' the announcer said. 'Army did not score again.' Viewers may have wondered, since the film was taped over a sitcom, why Lucille Ball's face was suddenly superimposed on the field. We are now well used to AI being used for controversial calls. Goal-line technology was first tested for Eastleigh vs AFC Totton in the Hampshire Senior Cup final in 2012. Hawk-Eye has been used in cricket since 2001 for line-calls and appeals for leg before wicket, reducing umpires effectively to a hat-stand that counts up to six. Two tries in the Lions rugby match last weekend were overturned by a man in a van watching a replay. And this will continue. Measurement is now so accurate that World Athletics is holding trials to get rid of the take-off board in the long jump and simply record the distance from the shoe leaving the ground to the grains of sand on which it lands. Major League Baseball is similarly experimenting with cameras to rule whether a pitch is a strike. Perhaps this is all for the good. Nevertheless, some wonderful sporting moments would have been spoilt by cameras. That great Gareth Edwards try for the Barbarians against the All Blacks in 1973 featured two blatant forward passes (and a missed high tackle on J.P.R. Williams); Michael Kasprowicz arguably didn't have his hand on the bat handle when giving the 'catch' that sealed England's hair's breadth win in the Ashes Test at Edgbaston in 2005; and as for Geoff Hurst's second goal at Wembley in 1966… Well, more recent analysis showed that it did cross the line, so the Germans should stop moaning. Robot line judges at Wimbledon are welcome when they speed the game up and make it more accurate, but it is a pity that human error is removed. Players accept good and bad luck in other ways – a ball that clips the net and trickles over, say, or a player who slips as they change direction – and they make plenty of unforced errors of their own. Why should only the officials be perfect? The players should remember that line of Kipling they pass as they enter Centre Court: 'If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two imposters just the same…' Well done sleepy Hugh for reminding them of that.
