In conversation with Mel Giedroyc, Clare Balding confessed that the person in question always calls her wife, Alice Arnold, “physically very attractive”, and she issued a warning to him
Matt Davies Trendswatch Reporter
19:00, 22 Nov 2025
Clare Balding has revealed that she issued a warning to a fellow broadcaster(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Clare Balding has disclosed that she issued a warning to a colleague, as he always calls her wife “physically very attractive”. Clare, a broadcaster best known for her sports coverage, shared the revelation with Mel Giedroyc (of Mel and Sue and Great British Bake Off fame) on a recent episode of the Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake podcast.
On the death-themed podcast, host Mel interviews guests as though they have died, exploring their thoughts on mortality, funeral arrangements and related subjects.
During the episode, Mel shared an amusing mock eulogy recorded by broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, who praised Clare, known for her appearance on Celebrity Traitors, as among the “most loved and respected figures”.
Continuing his tribute, he referenced her passion for equestrianism and her distinguished career in sports broadcasting. The eulogy then shifted focus to Clare’s wife, Alice Arnold.
Clare said Gyles Brandreth calls her wife, Alice Arnold, “physically very attractive” (Image: Getty Images)
Gyles remarked: “Of course, as she leaves behind a beautiful widow, the brilliant and beguiling Alice Arnold,” prompting Clare to interject that he’s “physically very attracted” to her and that he “always says that”.
He went on: “Sitting here today, dressed in white, you will notice. Yes, because, for Alice, a brighter future beckons,” leaving Clare in fits of laughter.
Gyles then told his imaginary audience to stay in their seats following the funeral, as they would then proceed to a wedding, since he and Alice had chosen to “tie the knot”.
Clare observed that he’d “always had a thing” for her, and when he finished, she remarked: “I think he’s thought about it – definitely thought about the wedding to Alice. He always says to her, ‘You’re physically very attractive’. And we all go, ‘Borderline; borderline, Gyles’, but he can get away with it.”
In other news from August, Clare disclosed an embarrassing gaffe involving Princess Anne that she made on air during a massively important royal event, and it was all due to a certain phrase.
Clare noted that he’d “always had a thing” for her(Image: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)
It happened whilst she was providing commentary on King Charles’ coronation for the BBC, but it was Alice who pointed out that some viewers may have “interpreted” what she said “differently.”
She told Woman and Home magazine: “I commentated on the parade at the coronation, and there’s something I said that made perfect sense to me, coming from a background working with horses, which was, ‘There’s the Princess Royal, who you may have seen make a hasty exit from Westminster Abbey, and she has been swiftly mounted’.
“When I got home, Alice said that other people may have interpreted this differently, and I think a lot of people found it funny. Hopefully, including the Princess Royal!”
You can next catch Clare on Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel on BBC One tonight (Saturday, November 22), from 8:05pm to 9:05pm.
