John McCririck EXCLUSIVE: ‘Depressed’ star, 78, sparks concern over ‘gaunt and frail’ BBBOTs appearance… as he blames Channel 4 sacking for demise in his health
- The racing pundit spoke on the panel show on Thursday evening yet fans were distracted by his drawn appearance and over-sized clothing
- Twitter users were left aghast as fans insisted he looked ill and gaunt
- Speaking exclusively to MailOnline after the show, he confirmed his 2013 sacking from Channel 4 was partly to blame for his dramatic weight loss
- Earlier this year, John revealed he struggled to recover from a bout of ‘serious flu’: ‘I had terrible flu and it really got to my legs and voice ‑ it was awful’
- In April, John announced he had thrown himself into a health kick after his weight ballooned to 19 stone – after which he lost three stone
- John stated that he does not want to have a funeral and wants his ashes scattered at Alexandra Park Racecourse
Rebecca Davison
and
Ciara Farmer For Mailonline
John McCririck has sparked concern among fans after appearing gaunt while joining the panel for Big Brother’s Bit On The Side on Thursday evening.
The 78-year-old pundit, who appeared on CBB in January 2005, spoke exclusively to MailOnline hours after the show to address his health issues as he insisted his dramatic weight loss was born of his controversial Channel 4 sacking in 2013.
Admitting he suffered with depression following the shock dismissal, he confirmed a combination of his reaction to the sacking and a ‘serious flu’, which culminated in a chest infection, resulted in his dramatic weight loss and slimmed-down frame.
Worries: John McCririck has sparked concern among fans after appearing gaunt while joining the panel for Big Brother’s Bit On The Side on Thursday evening
In his typically controversial manner, John chatted animatedly on Big Brother’s Bit On The Side, yet fans were thrown by his physical appearance as he seemed remarkably slimmer than the usual look that has graced screens for 40 tears.
Swarming Twitter, viewers voiced worries over the controversial TV personality, with some fans insisting he looked ‘ill and gaunt’ – leading to discussion over his health – before his representative told MailOnline he was recovering from a chest infection.
-
![]()
GIRL ABOUT TOWN: Duke of Marlborough says he became a Muslim…
![]()
Concerned Bianca Gascoigne is left riddled with worries over… -
![]()
‘How can that slob pass judgement on anyone?’: CBB fans…
In response to the shock from concerned and devoted vewers, a representative for John told MailOnline: ‘What started with flu in the New Year led to a serious chest infection, he is recovering well but slowly’
Swarming Twitter, viewers wrote: ‘I’ve never liked John McCririck, but it’s sad he looks so ill #BBBOTS… Shocking to see such a transformation. His health must not be good at all… John McCririck looks really poorly bbbots…
Shocking: The 78-year-old pundit, who appeared on CBB in January 2005, spoke exclusively to MailOnline hours after the show to address his health issues as he insisted his dramatic weight loss was born of his controversial Channel 4 sacking in 2013
Healthier: Admitting he suffered with depression following the shock dismissal, he confirmed a combination of his reaction to the sacking and a ‘serious flu’ which culminated in a chest infection, resulted in his dramatic weight loss and slimmed-down frame (pictured in 2013)
‘Can’t get over how much weight John McCririck’s lost! Has he been ill? #BBBOTS… #BBBOTS #JohnMcCririck looks ill… Jeez John McCririck looks so gaunt on #bbbots since I last saw him. What’s wrong with him?…
‘Poor John McCririck. Didn’t realise he had been so unwell. Hope the poor bloke’s OK #BBUK #BBBOTS… John McCririck is a Big Brother Legend!…
‘John McCririck swamped by his clothes tonight Why is he on there when clearly he is very frail?… John McCririck looks so frail and ill . Such a shame #BBBOTS #BBUK’.
Responding to the worries, John told MailOnline his weight loss was down to his sacking: ‘I was sacked by Channel 4, I was depressed, I lost my appetite… I had no motivation, no purpose in life. I’ve never missed a days work in 50 years’.
Shocking: John showed off his slimmer frame on Good Morning Britain in April
In 2013 John launched legal proceedings against Channel 4 seeking damages totalling £3million after his axing from the station’s new racing output however he lost out on the case later on.
The star, who was arguably the best known face on racing with appeal reaching far beyond the boundaries of the sport, was one of many not retained when C4 changed company producing racing output from Highflyer to IMG Sports Media.
Others who lost out included John Francome, Alastair Down, Derek Thompson and Mike Cattermole.
But John, who became famous for reporting from the betting ring in his own unique style, took his removal hard, alleging the decision was ageist and that he has suffered public humiliation.
Way back when: John exhibited a fuller figure in the past yet has slimmed down since (pictured on Ultimate Big Brother in 2010)
Earlier this year, John revealed that his bout of ‘serious flu’ spread to his legs and voice: ‘I had terrible flu and it really got to my legs and voice ‑ it was awful… It’s hard to recover from and I’m not fully fit. But I’m Cheltenham-bound’.
In April, the TV legend revealed he has thrown himself into a health kick after his weight ballooned to 19 stone, as he proudly confirmed he had shed three stone after cutting down his portions and ridding his diet of potatoes.
Speaking about the illness, he said: ‘It’s been a bad year but I’ve been getting better slowly… I’d already lost weight but the flu accelerated it. My advice to other men never retire unless you have to. It’s been a bad year.’
He then joked: ‘I’ve cancelled my marathon next year! I don’t believe in exercise – just swimming and aqua aerobics’.
Shocking: Swarming Twitter, concerned viewers wrote: ‘I’ve never liked John McCririck, but it’s sad he looks so ill #BBBOTS… John McCririck on #bbbots Wow’
Shock: Users went ‘Poor John McCririck. Didn’t realise he had been so unwell. Hope the poor bloke’s OK #BBUK #BBBOTS’
While his illness has been a factor in his weight loss he admitted he had wanted to lose weight as he said: ‘You don’t seen old men on walking sticks being able to carry the weight – bar Winston Churchill.’
John rather morbidly joked about death as he insisted he did not want a funeral and revealed he had given his wife – who he calls ‘Booby’ – his instructions for his death.
He said: ‘I don’t want a funeral, I think it’s selfish. I want a cremation and to be buried at Alexandra Park Racecourse – Booby knows what to do!’
John collapsed at Cheltenham Races in 2013 due to stress. After his collapse he was taken to hospital. His representative assured fans at the time: ‘John fully intends on being back on the course tomorrow.’
Changing looks: In June (pictured), John was looked svelte, however he appears to have lost yet more weight as he appeared on the show
Shock: In 2013 John launched legal proceedings against Channel 4 seeking damages totalling £3million after his axing from the station’s new racing output
-
![Solicitor Imogen Evans, 28, was an accomplished athlete who had discovered she was two months pregnant. But Miss Evans took her own life after a telephone argument with her mother]()
Pregnant Great Britain rower, 28, who was battling…
-
![The spat began when George Mpanga - known as George the Poet - said 'xenophobia is something a lot of British people harbour in their hearts]()
Furious race row erupts on Question Time as audience…
-
![Shocking CCTV shows the moment a former Eurotunnel boss was shoved onto the tracks of the London Underground second before a train arrives in the platform]()
Terrifying moment stranger tried to murder 91-year-old…
-
![Building work finished: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex can finally move into their apartment at Kensington Palace after its multi-million-pound facelift (pictured to the left of the main house)]()
Revealed: Harry and Meghan can FINALLY move into their…
-
![Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died after collapsing on a flight to France from an allergic reaction to a Pret A Manger baguette]()
‘I asked them about the things Natasha loved’: Duchess of…
-
![Christopher Maloney, pictured on ITV's Loose Women in August, allegedly went missing]()
X Factor star Christopher Maloney is safe and well after…
-
![Demi Harris denies murdering her boyfriend after a row in a hot tub at a party in February]()
Girlfriend, 21, ‘stabbed her naked partner, 39, to death…
-
![Chris Evans today unveiled Zoe Ball as his replacement and posed for this photo after the show - but she won't get his £1.6m salary]()
‘I’m not being paid as much as Chris but I’m happy’: Zoe…
-
![Sofia Carter, second from right, with her daughter Rose, far right, Juliet, left, and husband Martin]()
‘I could see Rose one second… and she was gone’:…
-
![Overtones star Timmy Matley plunged to his death from a 13th floor balcony of a after taking crystal meth]()
Overtones star Timmy Matley fell to his death from 13th…
-
![Faye Rogers, 28, opened The Boutique in the Cotswolds town of Stroud that sold clothes with fur]()
Fur shop owner is forced to close her Cotswolds store…
-
![Eleanor Wilson, pictured at Bristol Crown Court today, is accused of having sex with a pupil on a plane home from a school trip and later telling him she was pregnant. She is pictured with a male supporter]()
Teacher, 29, ‘who had sex with pupil, 16, in plane toilet…
-
![Former football superstar David Beckham pictured arriving at Paris Gare du Nord in Paris yesterday]()
ALISON BOSHOFF: After THAT speeding fine dodge, is it all…
-
![The exterior of Dawn and Ashley Ward's mansion which has been on the market for five years, despite being in one of the most affluent areas in Cheshire]()
Inside the multimillion-pound mansion that Real Housewife…
-
![Shaquelle Vidal, 23, the daughter of a TV comedian, died on April 7 after spending almost a month as a ‘voluntary’ patient at the Nightingale Hospital in Marylebone, West London]()
Third mystery death linked to celebrity mental health…
-
![Pictured: Jack Ralph, 28, has been charged with the double murder of Sharon Harris and her mother Margaret and attempted murder of her husband David]()
Police charge neighbour, 28, with murder after mother,…
-
![Marianne Haboc (pictured) died following the crash near St Patrick's RC Primary School in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on Monday afternoon]()
Pictured: ‘Little superstar’ gymnast, 11, who was hit and…
-
![The couple, Nasir Hussain (pictured) and Mahira Hussain, both of Oldham, were charged with assault following the incident, according to Greater Manchester Police]()
‘We needed the water because my girlfriend drinks two…
Comments 670
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have been moderated in advance.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Close
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.
Article source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6242929/John-McCririck-78-sparks-health-concern-gaunt-frail-BBBOTs-appearance.html