Clare Balding says
Clare Balding has admitted she was responsible for her brother's "worst injury" and has now apologised. Clare, the seasoned sports presenter behind coverage of the Olympics, the Grand National and Wimbledon, has recently shared the "life lessons" she's learned during her 54 years.
They range from choosing your friends wisely to making the "most of it" and her belief that "animals are heroes". But one lesson about owning up to your mistakes sparked a childhood story for Clare. She was a leading amateur flat jockey in the late 1980s and early 1990s, while her late father, Ian Balding, was a racehorse trainer. It’s a career her brother Andrew also followed, and he would become the central figure in her story.
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She told Yours magazine: "I have to confess that I was responsible for my brother's worst injury. We were climbing on bales in the barn, and there was a rope hanging from the roof.
"I thought it would be fun to pretend to be Tarzan and swing on the rope. I managed it successfully, but Andrew let go of the rope and fell to the ground, breaking his leg. I probably didn't say sorry enough at the time, so I'll say it now."
It follows reports that Clare was forced to avoid a certain question when she recently sat down to interview tennis legend Serena Williams, who has returned to competitive tennis at the age of 44.
In a press release, the LTA said: "23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams today announced her return to professional tennis, with her comeback to the sport to take place this summer at the HSBC Championships in London."
During the interview, the conversation touched on topics including Serena's life away from tennis and why she decided to return. Towards the end, Clare noted there was one question she had deliberately avoided.
"And I am not going to ask you anything about your opponent, because..." Williams then said: "You remember that." Clare replied: "I remember that. It's all about you, and it's going to be great."
Elsewhere, Clare has reportedly come under fire for her Wimbledon commentary this year, with some viewers claiming she has been too "dramatic". They shared their views on social media.
One said: "If Clare Balding says 'my word!' one more time, my foot is going through the screen. Literally every single time she pops up, she says it at least once. It's just so… limited."
Another said: "Sorry, but Clare Balding is not right for Wimbledon commentary. Annabelle Croft would be better. Clare Balding is just far too dramatic. Sue Barker is missed so much. Great personality, personal knowledge and history and a lovely mellow voice."
Not everyone agreed, however. One said: "How do people not like Clare Balding, she's nice!" Another wrote: "Bliss when Clare Balding took over!"
Catch Clare as she presents coverage of Wimbledon 2026 tonight (July 1) on BBC Two, from to