Clare Balding, the BBC presenter, has admitted she 'couldn't help' dancing to Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline despite a warning from her wife, Alice Arnold. The 55-year-old sportscaster shared the anecdote on the podcast Inheritance Tracks, recalling an event where she took her mother to see the singer.
Clare Balding's Neil Diamond Experience
Balding explained that her mother is a huge Neil Diamond fan, which led her to secure tickets for an audience with the singer. She said: 'My mum is a huge Neil Diamond fan so we listened to his music an awful lot and, actually, she's deeply unimpressed with everything I do and doesn't really want to come to anything, but I once got offered tickets to an audience with and it was Neil Diamond.'
She continued: 'So I said to mum, "Look, do you want to come with me? We'll go to this audience with Neil Diamond" and it was very starry, it was filmed for tele and people had to do questions and I asked a question.'
Wife's Warning Ignored
Balding recalled that her wife, former Radio 4 presenter Alice Arnold, had specifically cautioned her against dancing. 'The one thing she said to me was "Do not get caught dancing to anything because you'll just look stupid". And of course, when Sweet Caroline came on, I couldn't help myself.'
The track Sweet Caroline has become an anthem for England football fans, though at this year's tournament, Oasis' Wonderwall has gained popularity. Balding's story highlights her playful disregard for her wife's advice in a moment of musical enthusiasm.
Personal Life Updates
This is not the first time Balding has discussed her marriage. Earlier this year, she spoke about the couple's grief over the loss of their Tibetan terrier Archie in 2020. They are considering getting a new dog but are waiting for the right time, especially given Balding's demanding work schedule.
On the Alright, Pet? podcast in 2024, she explained: 'Here's the thing about responsible dog ownership, I'm going to be away all this summer doing the Olympics and Paralympics, this is not the time to bring a dog into my life, our life.' The couple also relocated from Chiswick, London, to Esher in Surrey and are undertaking a house-building project.
Clare Balding is set to appear on BBC One's coverage of the tournament on July 11, 2026.
