ITV’S major new addition to their Grand National presenting team has split opinion.
The broadcaster has announced that 2016 Olympics gold medal hockey star Sam Quek will be fronting up the Social Stable with Oli Bell.
PAOlympics hero Sam Quek, seen here at this month’s Cheltenham Festival, will be a new addition to ITV’s Grand National coverage[/caption]
Splash NewsRio 2016 star Quek will form part of the popular Social Stable with co-host Oli Bell[/caption]
Quek, 36, loves the sport and is from Liverpool, with the world’s most famous race held at the Aintree track on Merseyside.
Since her 2016 career peak she has been a mainstay on TV, appearing as a captain on Question Of Sport, presenting the Olympics, going to the jungle on I’m a Celeb… and, most recently, being a contestant on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
But her first foray into racing coverage will come on the biggest stage of all.
Quek won’t be interviewing jockeys or commenting much on the form, but will be tasked with bringing a fun, light-hearted feel to the coverage alongside Bell.
ITV will show 17 races from Aintree across three days with the big one, the Grand National itself, coming at 4pm on Saturday, April 5.
Quek said: “Being from Liverpool, I’ve grown up with the Grand National.
“Each year my entire family would gather at the house and we’d sit around the television to cheer our horses home.
“I attended for the first time in 2017 and it’s something I’ll never forget.
“I can’t wait to be part of the ITV Racing team this year, interacting with the incredible people around the course and the millions more watching at home.”
However, her slot in the ITV team hasn’t gone down well with everyone.
One praised Quek’s knowledge of racing and added: “She actually knows her stuff and it will be nice to have a friendly face on TV, good luck to her!”
And another said: “Racing folk never happy are they? Comments on this are tragic as per. Looking forward to seeing Sam during the National meeting.”
But another asked ‘seriously?’ while former top jockey Racheal Kneller wrote on X:”I’ve always fancied being on the panel for the World Sumo Wrestling Championships… nice to know I have a chance!”
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