John McRirick (1940 - 2019)

The death has been announced of  John McRirick without doubt the most colourful  in UK TV sports broadcasting. Having failed to get into the Diplomatic Service McRirick started working as a bookmaker. It was through this he got a job as a reporter on The Sporting Life. McRicik got on the BBC's Grandstand programme before moving to ITV's sports department. In 1985 he got his big break when Channel 4 a high profile role on their Horse Racing coverage. With his unique appearance McRirik  became a sensation. He held the post until Channel 4 dropped him from their team in 2013 but he took them an employment tribunal claiming age discrimination but he lost. Outside of Horse Racing John appeared on many shows including Celebrity Big Brother.


John McRirick R.I.P