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John McCririck tells ageism tribunal he performed pantomime act John McCririck tells ageism tribunal he performed pantomime act
(35 minutes later)
John McCririck has told an employment tribunal that his image as a bigot and a sexist went "side-by-side" with his image as a serious journalist.John McCririck has told an employment tribunal that his image as a bigot and a sexist went "side-by-side" with his image as a serious journalist.
The 73-year-old claimed his appearances as a "pantomime villain" on reality TV shows did not reduce his "gravitas", and denied they damaged horse-racing.The 73-year-old claimed his appearances as a "pantomime villain" on reality TV shows did not reduce his "gravitas", and denied they damaged horse-racing.
The racing pundit is alleging age discrimination against his former employers Channel 4 and IMG Media Ltd.The racing pundit is alleging age discrimination against his former employers Channel 4 and IMG Media Ltd.
Channel 4 said it was "vigorously defending" the case.Channel 4 said it was "vigorously defending" the case.
McCririck was axed from Channel 4's coverage last year, as a new-look team led by Clare Balding took over.McCririck was axed from Channel 4's coverage last year, as a new-look team led by Clare Balding took over.
'Taxi for hire''Taxi for hire'
He told the tribunal that he remained highly qualified to do the job, and that his appearance on reality TV shows, such as Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Wife Swap, had not detracted from another, serious image.He told the tribunal that he remained highly qualified to do the job, and that his appearance on reality TV shows, such as Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Wife Swap, had not detracted from another, serious image.
He said he had become a "taxi for hire" in 2010 after his days on Channel 4 were cut to 40 a year and he had been encouraged by the broadcaster to pursue appearances on reality TV.He said he had become a "taxi for hire" in 2010 after his days on Channel 4 were cut to 40 a year and he had been encouraged by the broadcaster to pursue appearances on reality TV.
But he said his persona as a bombastic and "domineering" individual was a pantomime character that he would have reined in if he had been asked.But he said his persona as a bombastic and "domineering" individual was a pantomime character that he would have reined in if he had been asked.
"When I came out of Celebrity Big Brother in 2005 to all the howling and catcalling, Davina McCall said, 'don't worry John, it's all pantomime'. That's all it was, not serious," he said."When I came out of Celebrity Big Brother in 2005 to all the howling and catcalling, Davina McCall said, 'don't worry John, it's all pantomime'. That's all it was, not serious," he said.
"This is a different persona, you are putting on a performance, you are doing a pantomime act.""This is a different persona, you are putting on a performance, you are doing a pantomime act."
McCririck said he had also appeared on serious programmes such as Question Time and Newsnight, and his "gravitas" as a serious journalist was not put at risk by his antics away from racing.McCririck said he had also appeared on serious programmes such as Question Time and Newsnight, and his "gravitas" as a serious journalist was not put at risk by his antics away from racing.
The long-time pundit was repeatedly urged to "control his aggression", "refrain from grandstanding" or passing comment during his appearance at the hearing, sitting in central London.The long-time pundit was repeatedly urged to "control his aggression", "refrain from grandstanding" or passing comment during his appearance at the hearing, sitting in central London.
'Saucy minx''Saucy minx'
Asked by Thomas Linden QC, representing Channel 4, if his behaviour had damaged the sport of horse racing, he said: "I don't believe it did," adding that he would have changed his ways had he been asked.Asked by Thomas Linden QC, representing Channel 4, if his behaviour had damaged the sport of horse racing, he said: "I don't believe it did," adding that he would have changed his ways had he been asked.
"You listen to your bosses; everybody who works in any profession, in any job, they listen to the people in charge."You listen to your bosses; everybody who works in any profession, in any job, they listen to the people in charge.
"No one ever came to me. Nobody has ever questioned my professionalism on Channel 4 racing, ever," he said."No one ever came to me. Nobody has ever questioned my professionalism on Channel 4 racing, ever," he said.
McCririck admitted there had been plenty of complaints to Channel 4 about his behaviour, and accepted descriptions of him as "nasty, revolting, rude", "boorish", and "obnoxious and sexist".McCririck admitted there had been plenty of complaints to Channel 4 about his behaviour, and accepted descriptions of him as "nasty, revolting, rude", "boorish", and "obnoxious and sexist".
But he added: "I was fully aware that Channel 4 approved of it because they kept on having me on their programmes."But he added: "I was fully aware that Channel 4 approved of it because they kept on having me on their programmes."
Asked by Mr Linden about the nicknames used on Channel 4 racing, such as "saucy minx" and "the pouty heiress" for presenters Alice Fox-Pitt and Emma Spencer, McCririck said it was all for effect.Asked by Mr Linden about the nicknames used on Channel 4 racing, such as "saucy minx" and "the pouty heiress" for presenters Alice Fox-Pitt and Emma Spencer, McCririck said it was all for effect.
"I think it livens up the programme. We liked to think we were a family and people coming in were watching and the family were in the drawing room."I think it livens up the programme. We liked to think we were a family and people coming in were watching and the family were in the drawing room.
"We tried to entertain the public and give them information as well.""We tried to entertain the public and give them information as well."
McCririck said he was told of his "sacking" over the phone while he was on holiday in October 2012 by Channel 4 sports editor Jamie Aitchison.
"No notice was given, no discussion, no face-to-face meeting, despite my work for Channel 4 over 29 years. I had been sacked by my employer," he said.
The hearing continues.The hearing continues.