I never missed a day’s work in 50 years but now nobody wants to employ me... they think I’m past it and I probably am
He shed 3st after Channel 4 sacking
there were complications so it was really bad and wouldn’t go. I’m feeling stronger and getting better but still weaker because of it.
“I’m not well and healthy. takes time to recover.
“I’m not wonderful, I can’t go running anywhere or do anything like that because of my chest but I’m not in pain. “Let’s just say if I had entered the London Marathon next year I would be cancelling my application.” Divisive Mccririck’s TV appearances have been few and far between since being sacked.
He launched legal proceedings, It accusing Channel 4 bosses of “ageism” and seeking €3.4million damages. But an employment tribunal found against him in November 2013.
Witnesses had told the tribunal that Mccririck was dropped because he was “offensive” and “irritating”, and the panel described him as “bigoted and male chauvinist”.
The judgment said: “It is clear that Mr Mccririck’s standing went down as his celebrity profile increased and further evidence of his personal behaviour and opinions became public knowledge.”
The ruling referred to him being asked to leave the TV shows Hell’s Kitchen and Loose Women, after airing his views. It also mentioned his appearance on The Alan Titchmarsh Show in 2007, when Mccririck made such offensive comments to Ingrid Tarrant about her failing marriage to TV presenter Chris, he was forced to leave the set by the host.
Mccririck, a former bookie and tic-tac man, had also worked for the BBC and ITV, and became a controversial figure because of his views, facing accusations of misogyny for referring to his wife as “The Booby”.
He has struggled to find work since the tribunal ruled against him but on Thursday appeared on Channel 5 talking about the final season of Big Brother.
However, viewers were distracted by his shrunken appearance, with his hat and blazer looking far too large for him. One wrote: “I’ve never liked John Mccririck but it’s sad he looks so ill.”
Another added: “John Mccririck swamped by his clothes tonight. Why is he on there when clearly he is very frail?”
Mccririck denies being at death’s door but admits he has made final arrangements in the event of his passing. He wants Jenny to scatter his
ON HIS SLOW RECOVERY
I’m not wonderful. I can’t run anywhere because of my chest JOHN MCCRIRICK
ashes at the site of the Alexandra Park racecourse, in North London, which closed in 1970 after 102 years.
Mccririck says: “When you’re approaching 80 your life is coming to an end anyway. For goodness sake don’t be buried, be cremated. It’s selfish to take up six feet of England’s green and pleasant land.
“My soul died when they closed down the Ally Pally – the meetings there were absolutely fantastic.
“The Booby is going to scatter my ashes at the furlong pole.
“I’ve shown her where it is.”