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03 May 13
15:15
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Date Joined:
05 Jan 10
on how she went from school misfit to TV's golden girl
By Sarah Bull 3 May 2013
Her coverage of the London 2012 Olympics cemented her status as TV's golden girl.
But Clare Balding has revealed in a new interview that she wasn't always so confident, and was something of a misfit during her time at school.
The 42-year-old presenter admitted in a new interview with Woman & Home magazine that it took a long time for her to realise how to use her misfit status to her advantage when it comes to her job.
She said: 'I felt like a misfit at school and I think that’s quite common. But that feeling is an advantage when I interview people because when you’re on the sidelines, you’re a spectator.
'I can talk to different characters with different life experiences and I can listen very carefully. I’m much more interested in them than in me in that interview, just as I should be.'
Clare added that feeling like an outsider stemmed from her childhood - but she doesn't consider it negative that she was brought up in that way.
She said: 'Being made to feel like an irrelevant child was probably an asset. Benign negligence is not a bad parental attitude or at least a cross between a benevolent dictator and benign negligence – you should just let kids crack on with it.
'That suited us and we lived in a very safe environment where you could have this wild, muddy, outdoor lifestyle; I thought it was absolute bliss.'
And Clare, who looks glamorous in a selection of chic outfits for the accompanying photoshoot, also said that she has learned to channel her feelings into her work - which has seen her become one of the most popular sports presenters of all time.
She said: 'When I have to stand up and perform, I switch in to performance mode. Music is very useful for getting into a certain frame of mind. When we rehearse, they run the opening titles and the theme music triggers something. Then when the red light is on the camera, my mind switches on.
'I have to think fast and remember a lot of facts. I get given a running order, but there’s no script and no autocue. With a live event there are key points that have to be very tight and someone is counting in my ear all the time. It’s quite draining. Last year’s boat race took me a week to get over it.'
As well as her presenting career, Clare has just released her memoir, entitled My Animals And Other Family.
Speaking about writing the book, Clare said: 'Nothing has connected me to other people as much as writing my book. It’s a memoir rather than an autobiography and I wanted to make people think about their own childhood; their relationship with animals and their brother or father, and the things they were insecure about at school.
'I absolutely wept when I was writing - at the animals dying mainly. I enjoyed writing about my grandma. She was a strong woman who said extraordinary things, like, when I was born, "Oh, it’s a girl. Never mind, just keep trying." '
To read the interview in full, see the June issue of Woman & Home out now, plus digital edition available on all tablets. Clare’s book My Animals And Other Family (Penguin) is out now
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2318732/Clare-Balding-went-school-misfit-TVs-golden-girl.html#ixzz2SEsnsHY1
By Sarah Bull 3 May 2013
Her coverage of the London 2012 Olympics cemented her status as TV's golden girl.
But Clare Balding has revealed in a new interview that she wasn't always so confident, and was something of a misfit during her time at school.
The 42-year-old presenter admitted in a new interview with Woman & Home magazine that it took a long time for her to realise how to use her misfit status to her advantage when it comes to her job.
She said: 'I felt like a misfit at school and I think that’s quite common. But that feeling is an advantage when I interview people because when you’re on the sidelines, you’re a spectator.
'I can talk to different characters with different life experiences and I can listen very carefully. I’m much more interested in them than in me in that interview, just as I should be.'
Clare added that feeling like an outsider stemmed from her childhood - but she doesn't consider it negative that she was brought up in that way.
She said: 'Being made to feel like an irrelevant child was probably an asset. Benign negligence is not a bad parental attitude or at least a cross between a benevolent dictator and benign negligence – you should just let kids crack on with it.
'That suited us and we lived in a very safe environment where you could have this wild, muddy, outdoor lifestyle; I thought it was absolute bliss.'
And Clare, who looks glamorous in a selection of chic outfits for the accompanying photoshoot, also said that she has learned to channel her feelings into her work - which has seen her become one of the most popular sports presenters of all time.
She said: 'When I have to stand up and perform, I switch in to performance mode. Music is very useful for getting into a certain frame of mind. When we rehearse, they run the opening titles and the theme music triggers something. Then when the red light is on the camera, my mind switches on.
'I have to think fast and remember a lot of facts. I get given a running order, but there’s no script and no autocue. With a live event there are key points that have to be very tight and someone is counting in my ear all the time. It’s quite draining. Last year’s boat race took me a week to get over it.'
As well as her presenting career, Clare has just released her memoir, entitled My Animals And Other Family.
Speaking about writing the book, Clare said: 'Nothing has connected me to other people as much as writing my book. It’s a memoir rather than an autobiography and I wanted to make people think about their own childhood; their relationship with animals and their brother or father, and the things they were insecure about at school.
'I absolutely wept when I was writing - at the animals dying mainly. I enjoyed writing about my grandma. She was a strong woman who said extraordinary things, like, when I was born, "Oh, it’s a girl. Never mind, just keep trying." '
To read the interview in full, see the June issue of Woman & Home out now, plus digital edition available on all tablets. Clare’s book My Animals And Other Family (Penguin) is out now
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2318732/Clare-Balding-went-school-misfit-TVs-golden-girl.html#ixzz2SEsnsHY1
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Get a night hood for it, Be made a Sir and Lady Judy
Her rise from having breakfast with the Queen Mother in a country estate in Berkshire, and one of the top public schools in the country, with a leg up from 'Cornelius' into a job at the BBC, is one of the all time triumphs of the underdog over adversity, imo...
she is certainly not irrelevant now is she
some of us wish she was
some of us wish she was
My God, the woman is a complete stranger to modesty, all this pap about being a 'misfit'.......then she tells us how she listens to peoples answers when she interviews them....whoop de f'kin doo, Claire, well done on getting that right, you must be the first person to discover that particular technique?
As Millhouse points out, there's nothing quite like seeing an underdog get on in life & this is nothing like it......
As Millhouse points out, there's nothing quite like seeing an underdog get on in life & this is nothing like it......
I don't really see the huge appeal, Miss Balding is supposedly generating.
I don't find anything she does remotely brilliant, or even entertaining, at best
she's moderate tbh. I just don't get the hype surrounding her.
I don't find anything she does remotely brilliant, or even entertaining, at best
she's moderate tbh. I just don't get the hype surrounding her.
Nobody does motely01, nobody gets it apart from herself. It's way beyond absurd the attention she gets, It completely bamboozles me and obviously many others on here. I'd rather Alex Hammond got the channel 4 gig, at least she is cute to look at 
Yet she seems to be lead presenter at most of the big events, when you compare her
to someone like Steve Ryder, it's just crazy, absolutely crazy. I suppose if people keep telling
her how great she is, she will start believing it.
to someone like Steve Ryder, it's just crazy, absolutely crazy. I suppose if people keep telling
her how great she is, she will start believing it.
I think she's a decent presenter. However why all of these publications want to conduct interviews with her is truly beyond me
'Shouting from the Rooftops' about her sexuality - surely brought a lot of it on.
- surely brought a lot of it on.
what consenting adults do in the privacy of their homes
should be kept there in my opinion
some of us are just interested in racing
should be kept there in my opinion
some of us are just interested in racing
Thing is nobody gives a monkeys if you shag Arthur or Martha, who cares these days? Fact is, nobody does. The self serving publicist that is Balding is quite frankly absolutely abhorrent to me.
Anyone who becomes President of the Cambridge Union debate society usually says everything about their personality, domineering and full of their own self worth.
She was just lucky that being fat,ugly and gay became fashionable............imvho.
fat and ugly never worked for me
unfortunately I am not gay or fashionable
oh well ..life is not fair
unfortunately I am not gay or fashionable
oh well ..life is not fair
and some of us were irrelevant as well...still am
there really is no justice here
there really is no justice here
What I cant get my head around is when I was paying for a TV licence in UK it was funding the deviant underground now coming to light,that was bad enough but now it would seem you are funding gay rights etc?
Sick imvho.
Sick imvho.
Snap Motley...........every single licence payer could sue those sick bastards at the BBC............even what they have done recently.NAP
You tell em moley, the BBC has always had a left wing agenda, it has to be that way, it's a
public service broadcaster, can't even lean towards any discrimination of any minority whatsoever
public service broadcaster, can't even lean towards any discrimination of any minority whatsoever
yep...there a lot of feminists at the BBC, she was pushed into the limelight ...why I do not think the BBC should be publicly funded anymore ..I feel it is an abuse, it should be for families...but other people may feel differently, I accept that
still I am older...not easy to deal with new values, preferred the old ones..
I voted UKIP
a 'fruitcake and a rascist' ...just up my street
still I am older...not easy to deal with new values, preferred the old ones..
I voted UKIP
a 'fruitcake and a rascist' ...just up my street
Btw Gerald Durrell was a family friend and he would have been sickened by her totally and even more so with her unimaginative book title.
As original as the Bible.nap
As original as the Bible.nap
I am openly sexist,homophobic and a racist............I cant see where there is a problem.I am also non religious and dont give a fukc if the IRA want to pay me a visit again.
Small minds playing with reasonable and decent people to further their perverted agendas........fukc them all.nap
Small minds playing with reasonable and decent people to further their perverted agendas........fukc them all.nap
listening to other main parties today---real shock about results
I am still recovering from her still struggling to get over last years Boat Race...........ffs surely she owns a mirror?
There are quite a few other women sports presenters(although you would never believe it listening to her)....
who just get on with their job
With her it is all me,me,me...she has to be the star..
still we live in a celebrity culture.. so that is what she is
in the end it will be up to the viewers....
which is probably the way it should be
who just get on with their job
With her it is all me,me,me...she has to be the star..
still we live in a celebrity culture.. so that is what she is
in the end it will be up to the viewers....
which is probably the way it should be
I enjoyed my wild, muddy, outdoor lifestyle. Being chased by pit bull terriers, rolling about the grass cutting myself to shreds rolling over broken vodka bottles, and being stabbed by discarded needles. Avoiding roaming gas and glue sniffers shouting abuse at trees, and other kids laughing at my fashionable clothes that were worth less than a fish supper. The good old days, I thought they were absolute bliss.
Ebul...........fool all of the people some of the time............to line the pockets of her Ilk.....and I mean celebrity not Lesbian?Stuart Hall,Jimmy Saville spring to mind..........I dont know why.......do you?
I am afraid we make it up as we go along Moley
and evolution does not necessarily progress...
like trying to find the next winner, who knows where we are going
The important thing to me is we are able to express our views and think for ourselves
but governments and media nowadays do try to take this away from us..
I don't know the answer, nor the next winner either judging by my performance today
ps
yes it was a shock xmoneyx, but a good one...people expressing themselves for once
ignoring the totally incorrect rascist slur...good on them
and evolution does not necessarily progress...
like trying to find the next winner, who knows where we are going
The important thing to me is we are able to express our views and think for ourselves
but governments and media nowadays do try to take this away from us..
I don't know the answer, nor the next winner either judging by my performance today
ps
yes it was a shock xmoneyx, but a good one...people expressing themselves for once
ignoring the totally incorrect rascist slur...good on them
Ebul,I have fewer issues with most than the majority,however I do have issues with liars and crooks and self serving qhunts................add that to the mix of deviants and it pees me off as you well know.
Above all I hate with a passion those who take money from those who can least afford to lose money.A certain tipping service have been absent since I promised............and delivered a personal insight to where I live.Solely to stop their (his) obsession.
IF THEY were as they say..........where are they.....WHERE IS THE PROOF of their success?
Above all I hate with a passion those who take money from those who can least afford to lose money.A certain tipping service have been absent since I promised............and delivered a personal insight to where I live.Solely to stop their (his) obsession.
IF THEY were as they say..........where are they.....WHERE IS THE PROOF of their success?
is this Brimardon
I get a little confused...I cant afford them anyway
Picking my own is all part of the enjoyment for me...although not necessarily profitable
although I do look at tips...but usually vet them..this means I miss the winners and just follow
the losers usually
as for deviants... ..like a lot of people, what I don't know, does not hurt me....
this need to get it all out does confuse and disturb me, and others I should think..
I think this is wrong...but then I have older values
...I don't deny the right of consenting adults to do what they want in the privacy of their own homes
but they should also respect other peoples feelings about this ...which at the moment they are not
just my opinion
I get a little confused...I cant afford them anyway
Picking my own is all part of the enjoyment for me...although not necessarily profitable
although I do look at tips...but usually vet them..this means I miss the winners and just follow
the losers usually
as for deviants... ..like a lot of people, what I don't know, does not hurt me....
this need to get it all out does confuse and disturb me, and others I should think..
I think this is wrong...but then I have older values
...I don't deny the right of consenting adults to do what they want in the privacy of their own homes
but they should also respect other peoples feelings about this ...which at the moment they are not
just my opinion
I genuinely think it would be a much happier world if men go out with women, and vice versa
every body understands it..it is simple
every body understands it..it is simple
let all consenting deviants do what they want ebul,keep it to themselves imo.Prostituting in public for personal gain is not for me.
I will always be a racist homophobe,atheist punter.......who will always do right for ALL when it comes to punting.....and life in general.nap
I will always be a racist homophobe,atheist punter.......who will always do right for ALL when it comes to punting.....and life in general.nap
a racist homophobe,atheist punter
you could set a trend there Moley
you could set a trend there Moley
I would go back to you own words earlier Moley
'can you fool all the people, all of the time'...
there is a feeling by governments and media nowadays you can
incorrect in my opinion
just as dogs are always wolves under the skin
we are still the humanoids who evolved on the African plains 150,000 years ago
whatever that animal was, we still are...one reason we still have wars...too much departure from this will cost us
technology or no technology
just my opinion
'can you fool all the people, all of the time'...
there is a feeling by governments and media nowadays you can
incorrect in my opinion
just as dogs are always wolves under the skin
we are still the humanoids who evolved on the African plains 150,000 years ago
whatever that animal was, we still are...one reason we still have wars...too much departure from this will cost us
technology or no technology
just my opinion
Ebul,when I was a small child growing up in Durban and Johannesburg with all family roots in Fife,shunted to Pretoria and Port Elizabeth for nannying and formative schooling.I will never forget my father saying "If SA is ever given Black rulers,the majority will be back in mud huts"
How right he was on that and many other things to do with the world today........he was though a Bigot........hated Catholics.
That is why I am an atheist............his hatred shaped my independent outlook in many ways.......however I am a homophobe and also a racist in context of how I view the world in general.
To be denied my thoughts or feelings in this Century is a breach of ALL human rights.........not just my own.Thankfully where I live is more tolerant without condoning abuse of said prejudice,what we can do is express our thoughts without some minority agenda claiming to be persecuted.
In short..............Freedom to speak.
How right he was on that and many other things to do with the world today........he was though a Bigot........hated Catholics.
That is why I am an atheist............his hatred shaped my independent outlook in many ways.......however I am a homophobe and also a racist in context of how I view the world in general.
To be denied my thoughts or feelings in this Century is a breach of ALL human rights.........not just my own.Thankfully where I live is more tolerant without condoning abuse of said prejudice,what we can do is express our thoughts without some minority agenda claiming to be persecuted.
In short..............Freedom to speak.
well said Moley
I have only got this forum...
actually I doubt if either of us are really as racist or as homophobic as we think we are
but if we own the word..it takes away its power
like most ordinary people, when people try to force their values on us, we react, that is all
and I feel governments and media are doing this to us for their own agendas
and as you say Moley trying to take away our..... Freedom to speak
I have only got this forum...
actually I doubt if either of us are really as racist or as homophobic as we think we are
but if we own the word..it takes away its power
like most ordinary people, when people try to force their values on us, we react, that is all
and I feel governments and media are doing this to us for their own agendas
and as you say Moley trying to take away our..... Freedom to speak
Exactly ebul,I have friends of many colours,creeds and religions..........we dont just tolerate each other.We have mutual respect.......................tbh though I do not have anything to do with homosexuals and never will do through choice.
ok Moley..
it is quite an interesting subject though
being gay is part of us...but the revulsion we feel about gay people is also part of us..
because both have evolved
so one cannot stop people being gay...but neither do I believe can we ever stop the revulsion..
they in fact both natural
we have failed with the first, now we are trying the second, which I feel will also fail
...one day we will reach the right balance...hopefully
above is my opinion, open to discussion, and may well be as wrong as Skintos tip for tomorrow
it is quite an interesting subject though
being gay is part of us...but the revulsion we feel about gay people is also part of us..
because both have evolved
so one cannot stop people being gay...but neither do I believe can we ever stop the revulsion..
they in fact both natural
we have failed with the first, now we are trying the second, which I feel will also fail
...one day we will reach the right balance...hopefully
above is my opinion, open to discussion, and may well be as wrong as Skintos tip for tomorrow
Ebul,being non religious and non judgemental on most subjects or lifestyle choices e.g alcohol.......smoking.......making money etc.
I draw the line at abuse of nature,it takes a male and a female to procreate our species.The gay fandango bunch want it "all ways" including having children......claiming it is their "Right".
Bollox imo.
I draw the line at abuse of nature,it takes a male and a female to procreate our species.The gay fandango bunch want it "all ways" including having children......claiming it is their "Right".
Bollox imo.
Nothing against Clare Balding very competent at what she does.But up against Rishi,Willie,Parrott and Wiltshire even Stephen Hawkins has more charisma.
His wheelchair has more charisma than the whole job lot you mentioned paddy.
Mind you I would bet "She" would have an adapted wheelchair if (and god forbid) she ever needed one...........to take duracell AAA batteries.
Mind you I would bet "She" would have an adapted wheelchair if (and god forbid) she ever needed one...........to take duracell AAA batteries.
At least Clare is a journalist,she knows what she is talking about even when she did Rugby League. The others use the same old tired cliches.Clare does go down that route when family are involved.
Tbf she was a decent tight head prop.........according to an ex girlfriend.
Clare with be made the Patron Saint Of Broadcasting in 100 years time...you watch,
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