Barker serves up a surprise nod to Balding as BBC’S Wimbledon host
Veteran presenter appears to let cat out of the bag by praising colleague as ‘safe hands’ to cover the event
SUE BARKER appeared to confirm that Clare Balding would be replacing her as the BBC’S Wimbledon host yesterday in an awkward gaffe at an awards event.
Barker, one of the most seasoned presenters on British television, retired as the face of Wimbledon when she announced her departure in June.
While Balding has since been regarded as the frontrunner to become only the BBC’S fifth lead presenter at the Championships in more than 50 years, no names have been confirmed.
But Barker may have slipped up on Wednesday night when she said, sitting opposite her former colleague: “I know I’m leaving it in the safest hands.”
Balding, 51, who has presented the Today at Wimbledon evening highlights package since 2015, looked somewhat taken aback, biting her lip in response.
The Daily Telegraph understands that the BBC is still planning next year’s presenting line-up.
Speaking at the BT Sport Action Woman Awards, where Balding presented her with a lifetime achievement award, an emotional Barker gestured towards her friend on stage and said: “Leaving Wimbledon is incredibly… I’ve loved it all my life, but I know I’m leaving it in the safest hands – it’s absolutely wonderful to leave it with Clare.”
The Wimbledon job is widely considered one of the most challenging broadcasting jobs in sport. Balding is odds-on favourite to take over at the helm because of her close ties with the tournament in recent years.
She is expected to get the role ahead of other BBC presenters Gabby Logan, Gary Lineker, Hazel Irvine and colleague Isa Guha, who presented at Wimbledon for the first time last summer.
Other outside contenders include ITV’S lead football presenter Mark Pougatch, who spent decades on BBC 5Live, and Tim Henman, the former British No 1 and pundit, though he would have to combine such a role with his place on the All-england Club’s board.
While the BBC is understood to favour clearly defined figureheads for their coverage – such as Lineker with football, Logan with rugby and Irvine on the Olympics and snooker – it would make sense for Balding to succeed Barker. If she does, she will become the fifth person to present the main show, after David Coleman in the 1960s, Harry Carpenter in 1972 and Des Lynam, who preceded Barker.
In 1997, Balding became the BBC’S lead horse racing presenter after the retirement of Julian Wilson, and has fronted coverage of the Grand National.
She has reported from seven Olympic Games, six Winter Olympics and presented four Paralympic Games, as well as covering the Commonwealth Games and a variety of other sports including the Boat Race.