Post by Teddy Bear on Apr 9, 2009 21:54:20 GMT
A glimpse of the BBC mindset in the story below. She thinks nothing of humiliating the jockey about the state of his teeth, then after a slew of complaints sends an apology by text to avoid getting fired.
This is who the BBC hires!
This is who the BBC hires!
BBC could face Ofcom investigation after Clare Balding jibe over Grand National winning jockey's teeth
The BBC could face an Ofcom investigation after a remark by sports presenter Clare Balding to the winning Grand National jockey to 'get his teeth done' sparked more than 2,000 complaints.
The media watchdog will assess the complaints made in front of a live TV audience of more than eight million to see if the corporation has broken the broadcasting code.
Minutes after the biggest win of his career, Liam Treadwell was 'humiliated' when Miss Balding badgered the 23-year-old to show his crooked teeth.
The embarrassed jockey smiles to the camera after BBC presenter Clare Balding asks him to show is crooked teeth. The BBC could face an Ofcom investigation to see if it has broken the broadcasting code
She said: 'Liam, just give us a big grin to the camera.'
But when a clearly embarrassed Liam initially smiled with his mouth closed, she added: '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.'
The BBC received 1,962 complaints about the remark during a post-race interview on Saturday, while Ofcom has received another 39.
The corporation quickly apologised, and the jockey, who won the world's most famous race at the first attempt on the 100-1 shot Mon Mome, later said Miss Balding had apologised to him by text.
Jockey Liam Treadwell celebrates winning the Grand National on his first attempt with his fiancee Emily Warner
He said earlier this week: 'When I turned my phone back on as we left the course, hers was one of the first messages. I can't remember exactly what it said but she did say sorry.
'Of course it was the wrong thing for her to say, and under normal circumstances I might have said something back, but it wasn't a normal day.
'I was on top of the world and nothing could ruin that.'
Lorraine Treadwell, the jockey's mother, said she was 'shocked' after hearing Balding's comments.
'She was very mean,' she added.
In a statement, the BBC said: 'We acknowledge that some of our viewers were unhappy with the comments made by Clare Balding to Liam Treadwell on the programme.
'Clare Balding had no intention whatsoever of upsetting or embarrassing Liam Treadwell, but she fully accepts that she shouldn't have raised the subject with him.
'The BBC and Clare apologise for any offence caused.'
Internet message boards were deluged with complaints after the gaffe.
The BBC could face an Ofcom investigation after a remark by sports presenter Clare Balding to the winning Grand National jockey to 'get his teeth done' sparked more than 2,000 complaints.
The media watchdog will assess the complaints made in front of a live TV audience of more than eight million to see if the corporation has broken the broadcasting code.
Minutes after the biggest win of his career, Liam Treadwell was 'humiliated' when Miss Balding badgered the 23-year-old to show his crooked teeth.
The embarrassed jockey smiles to the camera after BBC presenter Clare Balding asks him to show is crooked teeth. The BBC could face an Ofcom investigation to see if it has broken the broadcasting code
She said: 'Liam, just give us a big grin to the camera.'
But when a clearly embarrassed Liam initially smiled with his mouth closed, she added: '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.'
The BBC received 1,962 complaints about the remark during a post-race interview on Saturday, while Ofcom has received another 39.
The corporation quickly apologised, and the jockey, who won the world's most famous race at the first attempt on the 100-1 shot Mon Mome, later said Miss Balding had apologised to him by text.
Jockey Liam Treadwell celebrates winning the Grand National on his first attempt with his fiancee Emily Warner
He said earlier this week: 'When I turned my phone back on as we left the course, hers was one of the first messages. I can't remember exactly what it said but she did say sorry.
'Of course it was the wrong thing for her to say, and under normal circumstances I might have said something back, but it wasn't a normal day.
'I was on top of the world and nothing could ruin that.'
Lorraine Treadwell, the jockey's mother, said she was 'shocked' after hearing Balding's comments.
'She was very mean,' she added.
In a statement, the BBC said: 'We acknowledge that some of our viewers were unhappy with the comments made by Clare Balding to Liam Treadwell on the programme.
'Clare Balding had no intention whatsoever of upsetting or embarrassing Liam Treadwell, but she fully accepts that she shouldn't have raised the subject with him.
'The BBC and Clare apologise for any offence caused.'
Internet message boards were deluged with complaints after the gaffe.