Clare Balding reveals fear that stopped her publicly coming out as gay
Clare Balding reveals crippling fear that kept her from publicly coming out as gay and the conversation with wife Alice that pushed her to live without shame
Clare Balding put off coming out as gay because she thought it would negatively affect her career.
The 52-year-old TV presenter, who married wife Alice Arnold in 2015, first spoke publicly about her sexuality in 2002.
Sports presenter Clare has now said that while she feared she would be rejected by the rest of the world, she also feared being openly gay would hold her back at work.
She explained wife&home: ‘Being gay is who I am and that’s how I’ve lived.
“The only reason it took me a while to come out publicly was not only for fear of the backlash, but also because it could have a negative effect on my work. Coincidentally, that wasn’t the outcome, but at the time I didn’t know. It’s a lot easier now.’
On hold: Clare Balding, 52, put off coming out as gay because she thought it would negatively affect her career
Coming out: The TV presenter, 52, who married wife Alice Arnold (right) in 2015, first spoke out publicly about her sexuality in 2002 (pictured in 2019)
She added, “Alice says to me, if you think your relationship or reality should be kept a secret, you perpetuate a state of shame.”
Clare went on to say that one of the reasons she and wife Alice – who have been together for 20 years – appear on Celebrity Gogglebox is because they wanted to show a same-sex couple sitting at home watching TV.
It comes after it was announced that Clare would replace Sue Barker as the BBC’s leading Wimbledon host.
The sports pundit will take over this summer from the 66-year-old former A Question of Sport presenter – who has led coverage of the tennis tournament since 1993 – when it begins in July.
She said after the news was officially confirmed by the BBC in March: “It is a huge honor to be given this responsibility, but I am very aware that no one can fill Sue’s shoes.
“This will always be a team effort and we are fortunate that the BBC’s line-up includes former professionals with tremendous insight, as well as great reporters and commentators.
“It’s my job to bring out the best in them and make our viewers feel like they’re sitting in the front row on the biggest sporting stage.”
The BBC’s director of sport Barbara Slater said she was looking forward to seeing Clare share her “passion and knowledge for the prestigious event”.
New role: It comes after Clare Sue Barker’s (right) successor was made for the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage
Sue – who won the 1976 French Open and reached world No. 3 as a player before moving into broadcasting – said last summer she felt the ‘time was right’ to step down after three decades in Wimbledon presenter role.
Former cricketer Isa Guha, 37, is said to be in the running to become the leading Wimbledon host but will still play a major role in the 2023 coverage after joining the BBC team last summer.
She will cover from the start of the game before Clare takes over for the primetime afternoon and evening sessions.
The July issue of woman&home is on sale on Wednesday 31 May 2023.
Speaking: Clare spoke in the July issue of woman&home, on sale Wednesday 31 May 2023