John McCririck dead: Horse racing broadcaster dies aged 79

Katy Clifton5 July 2019
The Weekender

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Journalist and broadcaster John McCririck has died in hospital aged 79, his family has announced.

McCririck was a familiar face on Channel 4's coverage of the sport for many years, with his television career spanning four decades.

Known as 'Big Mac' to many in the racing world, McCririck is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jenny.

Married to Jenny in 1971, McCririck was an unmissable character with his deerstalker hat, sideburns and cigar, and thrived at the heart of what he called the "betting jungle".

A statement released on Friday by McCririck's family said: "Award-winning journalist, broadcaster and for many years the face of British horse racing, John McCririck, passed away at a London hospital on Friday, July 5 aged 79.

John McCririck - In pictures

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"John's interest in horse racing and betting began at Harrow where he was the school bookie. On leaving he worked for an illegal street bookmaker then legally on-course where he learned the art of tic-tac, clerking bets and making a book.

"His flamboyant broadcasting style from the heart of betting ring proved extremely popular with racing fans and beyond.

John McCririck
Getty Images

"Despite suffering ill health in recent months, John continued to make several TV and radio appearances.

"He is survived by Jenny, his wife of 48 years. His funeral will be private."

In 1981, McCririck joined ITV Sport's horse racing coverage, which then moved to Channel 4, where he would spend more than 25 years at his familiar spot in the betting ring.

John McCririck has died aged 79

Ascot Racecourse has today released a statement saying it is "deeply saddened" by the death of McCririck, calling him an "unmistakable presence in racing".

"Everyone at Ascot is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of John McCririck," it tweeted.

"He was an unmistakable presence in racing, and one of the most impactful broadcasters of his generation."

McCririck appeared in various other programmes, including Celebrity Big Brother, before he acrimoniously left Channel 4 Racing in 2012, subsequently losing an age discrimination case made against the station and production company IMG Media Limited.

The former racing pundit last year said he believed he had months left to live after shedding three stone in weight after falling in with a chest infection.

Tributes have been pouring in for McCririck since the news broke of his death.

BBC horse racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght described McCririck as "a one-off".

He tweeted: "John #McCririck has died; racing pundit, TV personality, award-winning investigative journalist, 'failed' (his word) bookmaker, showman, rent-a-gob, 'marmite' character, the list goes on & on... unquestionably a one-off."

TV presenter Piers Morgan described McCririck as "a great British character", tweeting: "RIP John McCririck. He spoke his mind, loved to ruffle feathers, was as funny as he was outrageous, and had such a deep knowledge of & tremendous passion for horse-racing."

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