The Slanch Report

The BBC has been forced to apologize to Liam Treadwell, the winning jockey of the Grand National Steeplechase race, after the BBC’s reporter Clare Balding “humiliated” him for making fun of his teeth. I didn’t know British people could BE humiliated when it comes to references about their bad teeth, I thought that was just an understood thing…

Fresh off winning the England’s famous steeplechase race, on a 100-1 long shot no less, Treadwell was interviewed by Balding who told him, “Liam, just give us a big grin to the camera. No, no, let’s see your teeth. He hasn’t got the best teeth in the world, but you can afford to go and get them done now if you like.”

Viewers complained in droves to the Beeb, even Treadwell’s mother Lorraine, was upset, saying “‘[Balding] was very mean.” Ooh, SCATHING!

Ms. Balding reached out and apologized directly to Treadwell, sending him a text message, which is pretty much the most classless way to apologize.

“Of course it was the wrong thing for her to say,” Treadwell said after the fact, “and under normal circumstances I might have said something back, but yesterday wasn’t a normal day. I was on top of the world and nothing could ruin that.”

The BBC released their own statement saying, “Clare Balding had no intention of upsetting or embarrassing Liam Treadwell, but fully accepts she should not have raised the subject. The BBC and Clare apologise for any offence caused.”

To be fair, Treadwell’s teeth are truly TERRIFYING; seriously, England, have you guys heard of the many modern advances in dentistry made since, oh I don’t know, the 1400s? I mean, Treadwell looks like Bat Boy for chrissakes.

[Daily Mail]