Queen Elizabeth 'really liked' Channel 4 show but 'couldn't stand' one TV pundit
Valentine Low, a royal biographer and former royal correspondent for The Times, has revealed in his new book that the late monarch couldn't "stand" one iconic pundit
Queen Elizabeth "really" liked a certain Channel 4 show, but apparently couldn't "stand" an iconic pundit linked to the proceedings. Valentine Low, a royal biographer and former royal correspondent for The Times, made the surprising revelation in his new book, which details how the late monarch enjoyed watching one particular sport.
Famously, she was a massive fan of horse racing, even enjoying long phone chats about horses with renowned Cheltenham trainer Nicky Henderson. The pair would talk for "hours on the foals, the yearlings, pedigrees, the track."
The late Queen also "really" liked the coverage on Channel 4. However, the royal expert has revealed that she wasn't a fan of the Saturday morning preview for one specific reason.
Valentine quotes her as saying: "I really like the Channel 4 coverage in the afternoon and I always like to watch it when my horses are running, but the morning line? I can't watch it. I can't stand that man John McCririck."
John McCririck, who died in 2019 at the age of 79, was a familiar face in British horse racing. He was also well known for his loud, eccentric style, outfits, and deerstalker hats.
A larger-than-life character who previously worked as a journalist and bookmaker, John was recognisable for his distinct facial hair and for smoking large cigars (which he would enjoy at race meetings).
Paying tribute to John, legendary jockey Frankie Dettori said he was "very flamboyant and controversial" but noted that he'd "always got on really well" with the racing pundit.
Yet, for the former Queen, it would appear that horse racing was something of a serious business. Speaking to The Times, Henderson divulged that she wasn't to be trifled with when it came to the sport, saying, "very much so" when recalling her forthrightness.
Henderson added: "But she knew what she was talking about. I've got people who tell me what to do and what not to do, but they haven't got the first clue."
He also noted that on some Sundays, his phone chats with the late Queen about horses would be "short and sweet" and sometimes, he'd "get the feeling she'd nothing on", adding that she "loved it".
Earlier this year, Andrew Balding (brother of TV presenter Clare), a handler who trained many of her horses, told the Telegraph about the times that the Queen would check on her horses.
Anna Lisa, his wife, said: "Do you remember that first time she walked in. We'd done up the kitchen, and we just wandered through, and you'd go and sit and have tea. I was amazed by her knowledge."
He added: "I think she felt relaxed here." The monarch reportedly owned 24 Royal Ascot winners, the last of which was Tactical, who was ridden by James Doyle for the Windsor Castle Stakes back in 2020.