Clare Balding, the BBC Wimbledon presenter, has admitted she is keeping a secret from her wife, Alice Arnold, about her plans to welcome not one but two poodles into their home. The 56-year-old broadcaster revealed that the couple's beloved Tibetan terrier, Archie, died five years ago, leaving a void that she is now ready to fill.
Balding's Secret Plans for a Poodle Pair
In an interview with The Sunday Times Magazine last year, Balding said: 'Our Tibetan terrier, Archie, died five years ago and there’s still a dog-shaped hole in our lives. When we get another, the first job of the day will be a walk in the gardens at Chiswick House. Dogs bring structure to your day. I’d like a poodle because they are super intelligent. Actually, I’d like two – but I haven’t told Alice yet.'
Balding, who has presented Crufts coverage for years, has previously discussed the emotional challenge of deciding when to get a new pet after losing one. On the podcast Lost Dog, Found Dog, a pet bereavement expert advised: 'It’s different for everyone, but the most important thing is what is best for the animal you do get. If you’re in a unit that’s made up of more than one person, you involve everybody in that decision because it’s so, so important.'
Delaying Dog Ownership Due to Busy Schedule
Balding also cited her demanding work schedule as a reason for postponing getting another dog. Speaking 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. And, we are also doing a big sort of house building project, so that we can move somewhere where we’ve got a bit more space, we’re not close to a road and we can have doors open all the time. It’s killing me not to have a dog right now, but I know it’s the right thing to wait.'
Balding Returns to Wimbledon Coverage
Balding returns to the BBC this week to front live coverage of Wimbledon, alongside Isa Guha. The punditry lineup includes John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Pat Cash, Tracy Austin, Tim Henman, Annabel Croft, and Andre Agassi, with new additions Jamie Murray, Eugenie Bouchard, Kyle Edmund, and Laura Robson.
