:-(
A former member
Reminded of Network 7...
:-(
A former member
Racing pundit John McCririck has said he is to take legal action against Channel 4, accusing the broadcaster of dropping him because of his age.
The 72-year-old claims he was sacked "without any consultation" and is seeking £3 million for loss of future earnings, "stress and mental anguish".
McCririck was let go last year after Channel 4 unveiled its new presenting team, headed by Clare Balding.
The station said it would be "vigorously defending this claim".
"We are grateful to John McCririck for his contribution towards the success of Channel 4 Racing over many years," Channel 4 said in a statement.
"However we reject the suggestion that discrimination on the basis of age played any part in the decision not to renew his freelance contract."
The flamboyant broadcaster had covered racetrack betting for 31 years, 29 of them for Channel 4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20959200
The 72-year-old claims he was sacked "without any consultation" and is seeking £3 million for loss of future earnings, "stress and mental anguish".
McCririck was let go last year after Channel 4 unveiled its new presenting team, headed by Clare Balding.
The station said it would be "vigorously defending this claim".
"We are grateful to John McCririck for his contribution towards the success of Channel 4 Racing over many years," Channel 4 said in a statement.
"However we reject the suggestion that discrimination on the basis of age played any part in the decision not to renew his freelance contract."
The flamboyant broadcaster had covered racetrack betting for 31 years, 29 of them for Channel 4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20959200
BR
No surprise - Jay Hunt has history when it comes to this sort of thing. Not sure which side I sit on here though - while I disagree with IMG replacing Highflyer, C4 are perfectly in their rights to put the contract out to tender and in the real world when one company loses a contract to another staff generally don't get transferred.
IS
The thing is that 'talent' is disposable, it comes and goes all the time. There are endless examples of programmes or radio stations being relaunched and presenters being changed. It's just one of those things.... that's showbiz! Sometimes they don't take it well and moan for a bit, but they are grown up enough to accept it and not take it to court.
John McCririck was on a freelance contract and that means Channel 4 or IMG are under no obligation to give him work, if they feel he doesn't fit in to the programme then that's how it is. It's quite arrogant of him to assume that it's because of his age rather than any other factor, like being a bit of a joke or being difficult to work with.... or probably just because the producers just want a fresh start
John McCririck was on a freelance contract and that means Channel 4 or IMG are under no obligation to give him work, if they feel he doesn't fit in to the programme then that's how it is. It's quite arrogant of him to assume that it's because of his age rather than any other factor, like being a bit of a joke or being difficult to work with.... or probably just because the producers just want a fresh start
Last edited by Inspector Sands on 10 January 2013 12:28am
BA
I saw one a few days ago with Jon Snow saying "at 4 on 7", and then being cut off saying "I mean at 7 on 4".
LL
I credit Channel 4 when they acknowledge when something cocks up like that. I can't stand it when some channels try and pretend nothing unusual has happened. It's just embarrassing. Holding their hands up when something goes wrong earns them a little bit of credit.
AG
Diet Coke are also 30 this year, and are advertising on Channel 4, forming the '4' featuring some of the Channel 4 faces, with 'Sparkling together for 30 years'
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f363/TheAxG/DietCokeChannel4.png
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f363/TheAxG/DietCokeChannel4.png