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OT - Marion Bartoli ;- Not a looker comment

Discussion in 'Queens Park Rangers' started by QPR999, Jul 8, 2013.

  1. QPR999

    QPR999 Well-Known Member Staff Member

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    Did anyone one else see/hear what John Inverdale said about Bartoli whilst commentating on the ladies final? Unbelievable.
    He could well be the new Prince Philip. <doh>


    Wimbledon 2013: BBC apologise for John Inverdale's 'Bartoli not a looker’ comment

    The BBC has apologised after one of its most high-profile presenters made a derogatory remark about the new Wimbledon women’s singles champion.

    By Patrick Sawer, and Claire Duffin6:12PM BST 06 Jul 2013

    Following Bartoli’s straight sets victory over the German Sabine Lisicki, John Inverdale asked BBC Radio 5 Live listeners: “Do you think Bartoli’s dad told her when she was little 'You’re never going to be a looker? You’ll never be a Sharapova, so you have to be scrappy and fight.’”
    Bartoli, whose passionate determination – exemplified by her repeated fist pumping – gained her the admiration of Centre Court, won her first Grand Slam title 6-1, 6-4.
    At one stage during the second set Bartoli’s unrelenting focus and powerful hitting reduced her 23-year-old opponent to tears.
    Once a stunned Lisicki, the 15th seed, rose to her feet, Bartoli celebrated becoming the first Frenchwoman in seven years to win at SW19 by climbing up to the players’ box to embrace family and friends.
    But in the commentating box Inverdale appeared determined not to join in the general admiration of the new champion.

    He later tried to make amends by saying: “We poked fun, in a nice way, about how she looks ... but Marion Bartoli is an incredible role model.”
    After being asked about Inverdale’s comments a BBC spokesman said last night: “We accept that this remark was insensitive and for that we apologise.”
    Inverdale’s words prompted an outpouring of criticism on social networking sites, such as Twitter.
    Sarah Mann, a tennis fan from Sheffield, said: “Shame on you Inverdale”, adding in a tweet to BBC radio presenter Shelagh Fogarty: “You will cry if you hear what your colleague Inverdale has just said about Bartoli.”
    Several people posted links to the BBC website’s complaints page and encouraged others to make their feelings about Inverdale’s comments known.
    Kenny Morgan, from Wales, said: “Bartoli is a fine athlete that just excelled in her sport,” while Lucy Hay, a script editor from London, said: “John Inverdale is never going to be a looker, or a thinker, or as good at anything at Bartoli.”
    Many of the Tweets included the hashtag Everyday Sexism, which has gathered a large following with examples of causal sexism in the workplace and public life.
    Inverdale ran into trouble in 2006 during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards coverage on Radio FiveLive, when he appeared to make a disparaging remark about the Duchess of Cornwall.
    During the programme Inverdale asked others in the studio if they could remember the name of the horse Princess Anne rode when she won the European Championship in 1971.
    After they failed to come up with an answer Inverdale said: “Camilla?”
    Several people complained to the BBC in 2009 about what they described as Inverdale’s “sexist and patronising view” of women’s tennis during the Wimbledon championships.
    One listener said: “John Inverdale is a disgrace, with his sexist patronising view of the Women’s game. Why is he presenting the flagship show of the BBC at Wimbledon, when he clearly understands little about tennis, and constantly tries to deride and belittle the women’s game?”
    Another listener said: “I have complained to the BBC on numerous occasions about his blatant sexism regarding the women's game, but to no avail.”
    Told of Inverdale’s remarks, the new Wimbledon champion’s father, Dr Walter Bartoli, said:” I am not angry. She is my beautiful daughter.
    “The relationship between Marion and me has always been unbelievable so I don’t know what this reporter is talking about.
    “When she was five years old she was playing like every kid and having fun on the tennis court.”
    He said he would be celebrating with champagne last night with the French tennis ace along with members of her support team to mark a “wonderful event”.
     
    #1
  2. Flyer

    Flyer Well-Known Member

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    Has he ever looked in the mirror? Glass houses and all that.
     
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  3. Soopermack

    Soopermack Member

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    Can't believe he hasn't been sacked yet! Richard keys mark II isn't he?!
     
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  4. Sutfol

    Sutfol Well-Known Member

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    I think he's an excellent radio commentator - he certainly has a face for radio
     
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  5. Staines R's

    Staines R's Well-Known Member

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    To be fair he has got a point.....She ain't gonna beat Kournikova in a beauty contest is she ??

    (Sorry the Benny Hill in me jumped out)

    :)
     
    #5
  6. Ciarrai_Abu

    Ciarrai_Abu Well-Known Member

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    Crazy. Do we live in such an unforgiving world?
     
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  7. rangercol

    rangercol Well-Known Member

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    Inverdale would eat himself if he could. Totally up his own arse!!
     
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  8. sb_73

    sb_73 Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely, and all PC bollocks aside, he's clearly not a gentleman - mean spirited twat.
     
    #8
  9. QPRNUTS

    QPRNUTS Well-Known Member

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    lol &#128163;
     
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  10. Dens Hoops

    Dens Hoops Well-Known Member

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    He is well out of order and should be made to apologise to the lady.
     
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  11. kiwiqpr

    kiwiqpr Barnsie Mod

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  12. Didley Squat

    Didley Squat Well-Known Member

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    Yes, I'd go with a verbal and written apology. I like to joke around as much as the next person but not at a lady's expense.
     
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  13. Flyer

    Flyer Well-Known Member

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    You make a joke like that when you know shes never going to hear it, you dont do it in front of her or on national media.
     
    #13
  14. Rangers Til I Die

    Rangers Til I Die Well-Known Member

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    It was actually a very clumsy attempt at a compliment. He was trying to emphasise her quality of steely determination and true grit by contrasting that with what she (might) not have.

    It was pretty dumb but I don't think he was actually trying to be mean and any comparison with Gray and Keys is not at all valid.

    As an experienced professional, his main crime was not thinking before making such a dumb comment.
     
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  15. Eamon Holmes

    Eamon Holmes Well-Known Member

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    Inverdale for Talksport?

    First there were Keys and Grey. Then there was Colin Murray. Inverdale next?

    Talksport - The graveyard for sports presenters with big mouths and small brains.
     
    #15
  16. Rangers Til I Die

    Rangers Til I Die Well-Known Member

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    Did Colin Murray gaff too?
     
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  17. QPR999

    QPR999 Well-Known Member Staff Member

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    It was a backhand compliment. I like it RTID. <ok>
     
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  18. Rangers Til I Die

    Rangers Til I Die Well-Known Member

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    Damn, I wish I'd thought of that. Nice one 9's.
     
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  19. Eamon Holmes

    Eamon Holmes Well-Known Member

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    Got into trouble after a round on "Fighting Talk", Murray asked contestants, during a section called &#8216;Defend the Indefensible&#8217;, to argue: &#8216;Give me 20 minutes with her and I&#8217;m pretty sure I could turn around Clare Balding&#8217;.

    What a twat (Murray, not Balding.)
     
    #19
  20. Rangers Til I Die

    Rangers Til I Die Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Eamon, I do recall that now. Not a smart comment.
     
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