BBC star Clare Balding once insulted a Grand National jockey’s teeth with some very controversial comments, which led to a flood of complaints from viewers. The sports pundit, 55, joked Liam Treadwell should sort out his teeth, ordering him to his face to “give us a big grin to the camera”.
At the time – back in 2009, when Treadwell won the Grand National with French-bred Mon Mome – Clare grabbed him for an interview, during which Liam kept his mouth firmly shut. But Clare said: “No, no, let's see your teeth. He hasn't got the best teeth in the world, but you can afford to go and get them done now if you like."
The comments sparked nearly 2,000 complaints to the broadcaster, and 39 complaints to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom. They even upset Liam’s mother, Lorraine, who said she was “shocked” by Clare’s words.
His mum insisted that while the words “may have been a bit insensitive”, they “washed over” her son. She added: “I almost feel a bit sorry for Clare with all the grief she's getting."
It was up to Clare to apologise to Treadwell, and the BBC also put out a statement, which read: “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 and Clare apologise for any offence caused. Clare has also apologised directly to Liam Treadwell."
Later, however, the words led to a favourable outcome for Liam, and offers to fix his teeth for free were soon flooding in. He admitted later: “It was the best thing Clare ever said.”
A dentist in Blackpool who bet on Liam to win the National wanted to offer treatment as a way of thanking him for the win, but he opted for treatment at London’s Knight Dental Design.
His case study on their website reads: “On assessing Liam’s dentition it became obvious that his smile makeover would not be simple or quick” due to “missing teeth” and “retained deciduous teeth”. A complex treatment plan of implants and orthodontics was decided on, and a year later the jockey was totally transformed.
