The BBC has apologised for jibes made by presenter Clare Balding about jockey Liam Treadwell's teeth, shortly after he had ridden 100-1 outsider Mon Mome to victory in the Grand National on Saturday.
The broadcaster said it had received 1,477 complaints from viewers angered after Balding joked about the state of Treadwell's teeth in a TV interview after the race.
‘Give us a big grin to the camera,’ said Balding.
Then to laughter from onlookers she added: ‘No let's see your teeth. He hasn't got the best in the world but you can afford to go and get them done now.’
Treadwell, 23, had just sprung a huge surprise after guiding Mon Mome to victory, becoming the biggest-priced winner since 1967 and only the fifth horse to win at such a price in 162 Nationals.
‘Clare Balding had no intention whatsoever of upsetting or embarrassing Liam Treadwell, but she fully accepts that she should not have raised the subject with him at that time,’ the BBC said in a statement.
‘The BBC and Clare apologise for any offence caused. Clare has also apologised directly to Liam Treadwell.’
Treadwell told the Daily Mail newspaper he had received a text message apology from the presenter.
‘Of course it was the wrong thing for her to say, and under normal circumstances I might have said something back, but yesterday wasn't a normal day,’ he told the paper.
‘I was on top of the world and nothing could ruin that.’
