Wimbledon favourite Clare Balding once shared a very personal story from her school years
Clare Balding is a British national treasure(Image: GETTY)
BBC Wimbledon presenter Clare Balding has revealed an “absolutely horrifying” incident from her youth, long before her illustrious broadcasting career took off.
Speaking back in 2024 on the Rosebud Podcast with Gyles Brandreth, the 55 year old reflected on the “awful” experience.
BBC star Clare said: “I got into a lot of trouble when I was young. When I first went off to boarding school, I think I felt an enormous pressure to be one of the crowd.
“So I think I was very susceptible to peer pressure, so getting in with the ‘in-gang’ required doing quite daring things, one of which was shoplifting.
“And of course, I got caught, and I got suspended at only the beginning of my second year at school.”
The broadcaster continued: “And I remember that being so shameful, because also when I rang home my parents weren’t there. So Vicky, who was my father’s terrifying secretary – the scariest woman…
“Think of all those films. She came to get me. That was absolutely horrifying and the shame of it… I thought I was going to be expelled. So that was awful.”
Yet Clare – daughter of racehorse trainer Ian and Emma Balding – managed to turn things around following this setback, reports the Express.
She subsequently flourished at Downe House School near Thatcham, Berkshire, securing a place in the first team for lacrosse and being elected as Head Girl.
Clare described being named Head Girl as a “big deal”, explaining that the coveted role was awarded by a teacher vote rather than a pupil election.
The podcast episode was recorded as a Valentine’s Day special, and also featured Clare’s wife, radio host and journalist Alice Arnold.
The couple entered into a civil partnership in 2006 before tying the knot in a private ceremony in 2015.
Clare has been a familiar face on British television for more than 30 years, building an impressive career spanning BBC Sport, Channel 4 and BT Sport.
She will be taking the helm at Wimbledon today (July 3) on the BBC, as she fronts coverage of the nation’s most cherished annual tennis tournament.