John Mccririck Has Died

[spathiphyllum]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/48881290

[agchristie]

Like him or loathe him, John McCririck was a knowledgeable mainstay of horse racing and undoubtedly provided entertainment to a lot of viewers with his flamboyant dress and style of delivery.

His axing from the racing team was very controversial, a decision which he vigorously challenged.

On screen he was an avid cheerleader for fairness and punters rights and he challenged and opined strongly.

A classic example of someone who, in time, was regarded as outmoded, like many other capable presenters of other sports.

Being an ex-bookie, he knew his tic-tac and knew the industry well.

An odious individual to many perhaps but he was undeniably an asset to the CH4 racing team.

[zebo]

'For I am involved in mankind' seems a pretty good reason.

[Calicogirl]

Sorry to hear it tbh. He was a sexist and by most accounts a difficult man, but I think he was very much a man of his time, who felt that his antics were funny and amused people rather than actually intentionally set out to hurt people. I think he found himself dismayed and all at sea in the modern world, couldn't adjust and thus found himself unemployable from the job he loved. I imagine that hurt him a great deal and people who are hurt lash out. All rather tragic.

[Sqad]

Calico....LOL....a good assessment in my opinion.

[teacake44]

I just hope he don't end up in Tesco's mincemeat.

[agchristie]

He was married for 48 years to Jenny aka 'Booby'.

[youngmafbog]

An excellent assessment Calico.

[Patsy33]

You are so wise for your age Calico. Much respect to you.

[andy-hughes]

I agree, Calico has summed up Mr McCrirricks situation very well.

I think he was encouraged to seriously exagerate his chauvenism on screen to add to the character that Channel 4 liked, but then dismissed as times changed.

He was a highly credible racing journalist, albeit difficult individual, I did enjoy his on-course racing punditry, with the camera trying to get even tighter in the shot to cut out the loons fooling about behind him - a common sport at racecourses it seemed.

[spathiphyllum]

He looked quite frail and weak in his final weeks.

I'm unsure how he "lashed out" as cal puts it.

[andres]

After 28 years hosting channel 4 racing programme it must have been an awful shock to his system to be told he was no longer required. Then I think he lost his home after taking Ch4 to court for wrongful dismissal and losing his case. Plus 3 months being unable to speak after having a severe case of 'flu. After all that I think he just gave up and even told people he didn't think he would be alive for much longer.
Yes he was a controversial ,audacious and outspoken person but what a sad end to such a colourful life.
What would life be like if everyone conformed and never stepped out of their boring lives. I'm sick of this modern PC world.

[spathiphyllum]

People are talking as if this man killed himself.


He didn't.

[ummmm]

He chose to go on CBB and many many people found him an odious man. I don't know what came first, CBB or wife swap but wife swap showed how sexist he was.

[gollob]

It's a shame that people did not know the real John who was a real gentleman and not the persona he showed on TV. Without acting as a clown at times he was a very knowledge person as an expert on horse racing and gambling. He certainly brightened many peoples lives . Like him or loathe him he was certainly known by many people outside racing
RIP John

[Ken4155]

Big Mac was truly the punter's friend. If he saw injustice coming from the enemy (the 'firms') he challenged it on air and face to face with the on course bookies. True, he wasn't everyone's cup of tea and many an opinion of him (horrid old man, etc) was probably formed by his appearance on CBB. I never met him so i don't know if he was a horrid old man or not. Let's see how many turn out for his funeral. RIP, Big Mac.

[roopower]

My son worked as an occasional barman for an events company. On a weekend at Newmarket John McCririck walked into the tent and asked for a cup of tea. Son politely said he couldn't serve him and got the full 'Don't you know who I am?' Son had to explain that for a cup of tea JM would have to go to the tea tent. On the same occasion, son refused to sell a slight young man alcohol as he thought he was underage. Young man was a jockey!

[david small]

I could not stand this egotistical blowhard. Thought himself indispensable then had a reality check. I would have crossed the road to avoid him. Not a nice person.

[NellieMay]

I neither liked him or loathed him, but at least he had character and will be remembered even by people like me who know absolutely nothing about horse racing or gambling. Very well said Callico girl

[pixie374]

He was revolting as far as I saw. I wouldn't celebrate anyone's death though, unless maybe they really were evil. I disagree that he struggled, I think he was just arrogant.

[agchristie]

AH // I did enjoy his on-course racing punditry, with the camera trying to get even tighter in the shot to cut out the loons fooling about behind him//

Yes! I remember one such case where there were several drunken males acting the goat behind him while he was doing a piece.

When he had finished, John thought he was off camera and he suddenly belied his size and chased them down the betting ring hurling expletives! Hilarious!