Clare Balding was ‘cautious’ about joining Celebrity Gogglebox but ‘proud’ to be part of same-sex couple on TV

The presenter is chuffed with the number of female presenters at this year’s games (Picture: Rex/Metro.co.uk)

The presenter, 50, on Japanese cat cafes, Team GB’s medal hopes and why her time on Celebrity Gogglebox sent a strong message.

We loved watching you and your wife Alice on Celebrity Gogglebox…

Thank you. I’m restrained in looking at social media so I didn’t really know what the reaction was like.

We were asked to do two extra episodes, so we must have done something right. Alice is funny, very clever, she’s well-read and understands news issues.

She can even explain the Northern Ireland protocol in 40 seconds!

What made you want to take part in the show?

We were cautious about saying yes because you are inviting the cameras into your home.

We’ve been together for nearly 20 years now and it’s still rare to see older same-sex couples, sitting at home, watching telly like everyone else.

I’m a believer in being yourself, happy and relaxed, and am quietly proud because that’s a strong message for adults and parents.

I know people say this isn’t an issue these days but it is and there are still some communities and areas where there’s an element of shame attached to being gay or having a child who is.

I wanted to show that, ‘Look, it’s nothing, there’s no issue here.’ Gogglebox was a good way of doing that.

Clare and Alice entertained viewers on Celebrity Gogglebox (Picture: Channel 4)

What have you made of the Olympic Games so far…

It’s been a very different Olympic Games and a strange experience for the athletes.

But, for television viewers, we are still bringing the action right into their living rooms and they’ll be as connected as ever.

In a way it focuses the spotlight entirely on the athletes because there are no fans in the stadiums and it’s been tremendously exciting and uplifting.

We’ve missed that shared experience so much and the power sport has to bring people together.

Political squabbling is a frequent backdrop to the Olympics – but certainly we all have a lot of sympathy for Japan…

I feel so disappointed for them as this was so crucial in showing a modern Japan to the world.

You have to go back to 1964 for the last time they hosted an Olympic Games and I think this one would have been so futuristic.

It’s a difficult time to be in but from our experience with Wimbledon and the best of the Euros, sport is a great distraction.

It’s the most important least important thing. It can take you out of a world that feels very difficult and give you an opportunity to admire excellence in human beings.

What part of Japanese culture would you have soaked up?

They are mad for cats. And I know this sounds odd but what I wanted to do, if
I could go to Tokyo, is visit a cat cafe.

I’ve written about them but I’ve never been so I would have loved to see first-hand the eccentricity of their obsession – with lots of animals but especially cats.

They hero-worship cats. I think they admire their independence.

Clare is thrilled to be presenting the Olympics highlights show with Alex Scott (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images for Warner Bros)

The BBC coverage is stacked with female presenters this Games. You must be thrilled with the progress.

Funnily enough, years ago when we were doing the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne [in 2006], Sue Barker, Hazel Irvine, Jill Douglas and myself were the presenting line-up and I remember a journalist asking me, ‘Oh, you can’t get on these days if you’re a man.’

And I remember looking at him and asking if he was joking.

But it’s so lovely to have been part of a wave of female presenters who understand they do have an equal opportunity and it’s no coincidence that so many of us have skills that can work across multiple sports.

It’s a reflection of increased opportunity and confidence and I’m thrilled to be doing the highlights show with Alex Scott.

This is her first Olympic experience other than being a competitor in London 2012. I’m excited.

How do you keep track of all the different sports?

There’s a lot to remember! There’s a lot of information to take on board and your brain needs to be quite agile as you’re hopping from one sport to another.

But, in essence, you’re broadcasting the best of sport for people to enjoy and that’s the only thing that matters.

I hope people are enjoying it, that they learn something from it, hear from the athletes and appreciate them as characters as well as performers.

I love it. It’s like taking an exam every day in my favourite subjects!

Clare admires inspirational Laura Kenny her husband Jason for their winning attitudes (Picture: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

We’ve had plenty of success thus far – but who else can bring home a medal
for Team GB?

I do admire Laura Kenny for coming back from breaking her shoulder and her arm in 2020.

People will go on about how she had a baby but she was back on her bike and training very quickly after giving birth and was dismissive of that as an issue.

Having two crashes in the space of six weeks, however, after never having a crash before must have set her back.

I love her attitude and with Jason, her husband, they have the potential to win six gold medals between them. It’s ridiculous a couple can be that good.

Continue to follow the Olympic Games across the BBC

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