Racehorse trainer Andrew Balding has confessed he is "ashamed" to admit he hasn't watched his sister Clare compete in last year's inaugural series of The Celebrity Traitors. The renowned British trainer did, however, acknowledge plans to catch up on the episodes.
Andrew Balding's confession
In 2025, the BBC unveiled The Celebrity Traitors - a celebrity edition of the hugely successful game show - to widespread acclaim. The series gripped viewers and was ultimately won by comedian Alan Carr, who, as a Traitor, secured the £87,500 prize for his chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK.
This year, the second series has proved equally compelling, with millions of viewers tuning in for each instalment. Broadcasting legend Balding participated as a Faithful 12 months ago, but the group eliminated her during an episode four Round Table - the same stage the current series has now reached.
Trainer's busy schedule
Yet while the nation watched intently, Balding's brother Andrew made the frank confession that he hadn't been keeping up, revealing he only intended to watch during the school half-term holiday with his children.
Andrew ranks amongst Britain's foremost racehorse trainers. His Kingsclere stable has accumulated over £8.7million in prize money and produced nearly 180 winners thus far this season. He is pursuing a maiden British Flat Trainers' Championship and is locked in a tight battle with multiple-time champion Aidan O'Brien as the campaign enters its closing stages.
In the build-up to British Champions Day at Ascot, Andrew was questioned about his sister's exploits on television, making it abundantly clear he simply didn't have the time, as his focus remained firmly on preparing for the fixture.
"I'm ashamed to say"
"I'm ashamed to say I haven't had a chance to watch Traitors," he stated. "But I think we'll get it on iPlayer and maybe when the kids are back for half-term we'll watch it then. I have to try and work out how it... I don't understand the rules."
Balding, who presents coverage of sporting events including Wimbledon and the Olympics, was among three sporting personalities featured on the 2025 series. Olympic diver Tom Daley and rugby union international Joe Marler appeared alongside her. The current series, which has thus far been characterised by actor Richard E. Grant's opening-episode blunder, features no such sporting celebrities.
Sporting voices overlooked
Following her participation in the programme, Balding acknowledged that individuals from sporting backgrounds were frequently overlooked. Speaking on The Sports Agents podcast, she revealed: "A lot of my friends are PE teachers and they find they don't get listened to, whereas the History or English teacher has status."
"Those Round Table situations where certain voices carry more votes, there are lots of factors behind that, but it's real. I find the whole environment where people are being set on each other very difficult. I think you're abnormal if you don't find that! It's tough."
