BBC presenter Clare Balding has admitted she is no longer “frightened” of retirement, while saying she does not want to “wish away” a job she loves. The 55-year-old Wimbledon presenter made the candid admission in an interview with Hampshire Life about her debut fiction novel, Pastures New.
“I don’t want to wish away a job that I love as much as I do, and I do love it. But I’m not frightened of retirement anymore, because there will always be things to do, and the good thing about writing is you can write anywhere, anytime,” Clare said.
New business venture with wife Alice
Clare has also just started her own business, Unconditional Love, alongside her wife Alice. The range of new grooming products for dogs will be sold at Pets At Home, with Clare explaining: “I’ve never run a business, but we’re trying to catch a bit of a wave.”
“It’s a joint venture with a company that understands the market and is doing all the production, all British-based. It’s fun and really exciting,” she added. The product range includes dog shampoo, deodorising spray and a relaxing spray.
Cancer diagnosis and outlook
Earlier this year, Clare confessed she made plans for her own funeral after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. In 2008, she discovered a lump on her neck while watching herself on TV, and underwent surgery and radioactive iodine therapy to treat the disease, before receiving the all-clear.
She told Saga Magazine that having cancer “made me realise fairly young that we don’t all get as long as we think we’ll have.” She added: “So, do the things you want to do, make the most of them, and don't leave anything behind. I love the various challenges I've taken on – and there's plenty more to come.”
As for plans for her funeral, Clare said: “The Black Beauty theme music is very strong in my head. I've always said I want it at my funeral. I can sort of imagine galloping off the planet, off the earth, to that music.”
