Clare Balding gets emotional about new dog decision with wife Alice Arnold
TV presenter Clare Balding is once again fronting the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon, which starts today (Monday, June 29). She has previously spoken candidly about the challenges she faces in her life with her wife Alice Arnold.
Following the loss of their cherished Tibetan terrier Archie in 2020, the couple have been searching for a new dog, although Clare insists the decision cannot be hurried.
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Clare and Alice recently moved from Chiswick, west London, to leafy Esher, in Surrey, which could move their dream of owning a dog again a step closer.
Clare told the Times last year that they were moving out of the capital "to have a bit more space and protection from the road so it's a good environment for a dog".
While appearing on the Alright, Pet? podcast at the Good Woof festival, the 54 year old broadcaster explained in the summer of 2024: "Here's the thing about responsible dog ownership, I'm going to be away all this summer doing the Olympics and Paralympics, this is not the time to bring a dog into my life, our life.
"And, we are also doing a big sort of house building project, so that we can move somewhere where we've got a bit more space, we're not close to a road, and we can have doors open all the time," reports the Daily Mirror.
During an episode of her Channel 5 programme Lost Dog, Found Dog, Clare consulted a pet bereavement expert, who provided guidance on the proper measures to take after the death of a pet.
When questioned whether a bereaved owner should acquire a new pet soon after their loss, she recommended: "It's different for everyone, but the most important thing is, it's what's best for the animal you do get.
"If you're in a unit that's made up of more than one person, you involve everybody in that decision because it's so so important.
"And what we often hear is that people try and replace [the dog] with the same breed, the same name, please don't because every dog is unique and has it's own character."
She also stressed the significance of being emotionally ready to welcome a new dog into the home following such a devastating loss.
Clare is fronting the BBC's Wimbledon coverage alongside Isa Guha, which airs on BBC One, BBC Two, and can be streamed via BBC iPlayer over the next two weeks.
Speaking about her role this year, Clare told The One Show: "It's about telling stories around it, and it's making you care about characters.
"So whether it's because your mum might fancy Rafa Nadal. And now Carlos Alcaraz, who is sadly not going to be at Wimbledon this year because he's injured.
"For whatever reason you get hooked on certain players and you want them to do well and you feel what they feel. And I think that's what brings sport alive.
"And I think on the BBC, I hope we've always been good at it but we always try to make you see behind the scenes and make you understand more what they've been through to get where they're going. And also what it's like when they achieve what they want to."
BBC's coverage of Wimbledon begins today at 10.30am on BBC Two.