[Tony2005]

McCririck loses discrimination claim


JOHN McCRIRICK has lost his £3 million age discrimination claim against Channel 4 and TV production company IMG Sports Media, the betting pundit revealed on Wednesday.

McCririck was seeking damages and compensation, or reinstatement to the role that for over 29 years made him one of the most recognisable personalities on television, after being dropped when IMG won the contract from Highflyer to take over Channel 4's racing output from the start of the year.

However, after a lengthy deliberation that started at the conclusion of the hearing on October 7, McCririck has revealed that the tribunal panel has found in favour of Channel 4 and IMG.

Channel 4 successfully argued that McCririck was released because of his public persona, as crafted through his appearances on reality shows like Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Wife Swap, and that it was attempting to take its racing coverage in a more mainstream direction and did not consider he would appeal to a wider audience.

Explaining their findings in the judgement, the panel said: "All the evidence is that Mr McCririck's pantomime persona, as demonstrated on the celebrity television appearances, and his persona when appearing on Channel 4 Racing, together with his self-described bigoted and male chauvinist views were clearly unpalatable to a wide potential audience.

"The tribunal is satisfied that the respondent had the legitimate aim of attracting a wider audience to horse racing."

McCririck, who accused Channel 4 bosses of being age-obsessed and labelled the broadcaster's chief creative officer Jay Hunt a serial offender, had previously said he faced the threat of losing his home if failing in his action, having borrowed against the property to finance the legal battle.

More to follow...