General Chat

The BBC has apologised after one of its presenters described Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli as “not a looker”.

One of the corporation’s highest-profile anchors, John Inverdale, shocked listeners on BBC Radio Five Live as he came out with the derogatory remarks after Bartoli clinched her maiden Grand Slam title with a straight-sets win over Sabine Lisicki.

“Do you think Bartoli’s dad told her when she was little 'You’re never going to be a looker’?” Inverdale said.

“’You’ll never be a Sharapova, so you have to be scrappy and fight,’” he added.


Who the hell does he think he is? He's no Daniel Craig - I hope he gets the chop from BBC - and by the way, not that it this anything at all to do with her prowess as an excellent tennis player, personally I think she has a lovely face

Sounds like he's another Kate Hopkins or what ever her name is.....hopefully he will be properly dealt with.... :-) :-) :-)

l thought she had a lovely face too:)

jude

I was just reading this Ann. and absolutely agree with you.

it is just so representative I'm afraid of the current view that unless you're considered pretty, 'toned' ( as the Mail always puts it) and wear a ton of slap you have no worth, no matter how talented, or clever or kind you are.

How rude!!....

Apart from Miss Bartoli being a champion with fighting spirit, I thought she was such a lovely person.....Her smile throughout the tournament and after the match was a breath of fresh air..... Her attitude to people on and off the court from what was shown on the television was next to none......A beautiful girl with drive and vertality, so vibrant ,and a great sense of humour, particularly when telling stories of her sleeping before matches........

Who is this man to say such drivvel!! Not nice not nice at all :-0

here is an interview today with M Bartoli (text)
( in French but quite easy)
the link works but is a bit slow

http://www.lefigaro.fr/tennis/2013/07/06/02004-20130706ARTSPO00381-bartoli-j-ai-du-mal-a-realiser-que-j-ai-gagne-wimbledon.php

actually I hadnt seen her play(at all) until halfway through the final...........
and I thought...........

"there's a chubby lass , to be playing tennis at this level"

but good on her..........she's got the talent........and the determination.......we'll see much more of her I'm sure......

well done!

It is also an insult to Maria Sharapova by insinuating that her worth is in her looks.

it's ridiculous - no one judges a sportsperson by their looks - that's not what they are there for - it's their skill at their particular sport

Did I miss the "Wimbledon Beauty" contest then ?

A lot of people think that Rafa is a looker but not my idea of one.

The Williams sisters are not the typical looking tennis players but they are judged on their play and not their build

But Should "Ladies" go climbing up superstructure to get to their supporters/family whatever?
it seems to be increasingly popular for "ladies" to be doing this......

what would be said if John McEnroe (or any other male winner?)had done that?

I dont recall Virginia Wade ever doing it........

well It seems I owe an apology.......its appears now to be the norm to go climbing up the structure........Mc Enroe didnt do it But Andy did, It seemed as though he was told to........



Just realised, I am 75, and the last brit to win this championship was BEFORE I was Born!!!

Bob

I seem to remember it was Pat Cash, who won the 1987 Wimbledon final, that was the first winner to climb up the stands to hug his family/coach.

I think it's a bit daft......and rather like the footballer who scores a winning goal and brings his baby onto the pitch :-S...what's that all about? :-(

edit: yes it was....my memory's not too bad after all ;-)..just Googled and by coincidence his opponent was Ivan Lendl :-)

and with footballers and their wives - how does he know it's his baby :-D :-D

ooooooooooooo below the belt........Ann...........!!! ;-)

Had a right old slanging match years back with J I.
He was walking a dog in a field, said dog pooped and he made no attempt to pick it up when i pointed it out to him he said, do you know who I am, to which I replied yes but that does not give you the right to leave your dogs poo there. He was walking away when I used my pooper scooper and through it at him, he was incensed, I simply put both hands palms up shrugged at him and walked away. He did pick it up in the end because I glared at him and he knew he had to.

I don't know anything about John Inverdale. :-|

Wondering if he is married, and has daughters......... or sisters..... he probably has a mother, unless he was hatched.

Wait for the back pedal!

John Inverdale is ignorant arrogant and does not engage his brain before he opens his mouth. Furthermore he never gives a positive commentary on English rugby no matter how well they are playing. He positively loves to give criticism when they are not playing well.

In my opinion he is not much of a looker himself.

As you will gather I do not like him ..... So impressed you threw the dog poo Zzzz

I'm afraid in sport it is the photogenic players that do well, not naming any names but do you see any "homely" ladies athletes getting their picture on billboards sponsoring trainers etc?

Mayfield,
Sighs and thinks about the Athena poster "Tennis Girl" ;-)

John Inverdale has shown himself up & the good people he works for, I think they will deal with him.

Miss Bartoli has replied to any & all critics simply by being a champion that she is.

anyone seen him lately anyway?