Talk:John McCririck

Neutrality Tag
Have removed the above. If any such template is put on a page there really should be an explanation in the talk page. To my reading, there is nothing wrong with stating that his views are unpopular with many women; similarly, the alst paragraph mearly reflects the rection over his Robin Cook comments Robdurbar 22:23, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

Harrow?
Is the author of the article absolutely sure that McCricick attended Harrow? That is a public school and a famous one at that...so why does he effect a London accent? Celtmist 4 March 2006


 * Yes I am sure, I read it in an interview. Harrow is practically in London anyway, and I went to a public school and I have a London accent, as I am from London Lazmac 12:03, 4 March 2006 (UTC)
 * yes, interesting. Maybe, Lazmac, you're from the younger generation. I always thought that those born the time McCririck was were taught to speak the English of the Received pronunciation variety. Still, if you say so, I've no reason to disagree. Celtmist 4 March 2006
 * The Guardian article at also makes reference to him attending Harrow mattp 01:16, 11 April 2006 (UTC)
 * The Guernsey school link is inaccurate. I remember a TV interview when Big Mac stated he was a fag for Julian Wilson (Later of BBC Racing) when he attended Harrow.Paul210 20:28, 22 April 2007 (UTC)
 * This silly nonsense about him going to a school in Jersey is back. There is no referenced material to this effect anywhere Paul210 15:17, 28 June 2007 (UTC)
 * What do you dispute about the online reference? And why do you call it silly nonsense? Man vyi 17:49, 28 June 2007 (UTC)
 * According to the source given, he attended both Channel Island schools mentioned: Guernsey until the age of 12 and moved to Jersey thereafter. Harrow presumably followed. Crink (talk) 20:18, 28 April 2013 (UTC)
 * The first source given in the article is simply this: "Elizabeth College Register, Volume IV (1940–1975), student number 4720, p. 182, compiled by Keith Bichard, published 2000 in Guernsey Victoria College, Jersey". So one that has been manually constructed as [[WP:OR? I see that Julian Wilson's obit in The Guardian says this: "McCririck was born in Surbiton, Surrey, and educated at Victoria College, Jersey, where his parents developed property," So I think that could be added. But he says nothing abut Guernsey. The second source given is this, published by the Old Victorians Association, and which says: "January 05: - John McCririck, the well known OV and racing pundit stars in Celebrity Big Brother", which looks almost reliable. Martinevans123 (talk) 16:51, 6 July 2019 (UTC)

Harrow (again) and Sporting Life
(new section as last post previously was 2007)

Yes, he went to Harrow, where he was expelled, ostensibly for bookmaking. This is in his book "John McCririck's World of Betting" of which I think I lent my copy out.

While at the Sporting Life he won Sports Journalist of the Year (forget awarded by whom) for exposing the Tote (Horserace Totalisator Board) for sending bets "down the line" after time to reduce their payouts. This should be mentioned-- he is not quite the arse he sometimes seems.

Similarly his misogyny he would dispute-- while he does not deny using (for the sake of brevity) sexist language, he claims to have a real respect and fondness for women.

Appearances
He once appeared on the ITV2 show "Celebrity Juice" as the guest star inside of the giant "Newerer" magazine. 70.191.176.74 (talk) 02:36, 9 December 2011 (UTC)

SimonTrew (talk) 13:39, 3 March 2009 (UTC)


 * Yes here's a source for Celebrity Juice. But how very tasteless when compared with his far more respectable appearance on Celebrity Wedding Planner: . Giant "Newerer" magazine?? Martihnevans123 (talk) 12:39, 5 July 2019 (UTC)

BLP please!
Could editors please remember that this article comes under the provisions of WP:BLP, and so all material likely to be challenged needs rock-solid sourcing? Thanks, --John (talk) 12:16, 9 September 2012 (UTC)

Last wishes, ashes and Ally Pally
It is mentioned in a lot of the coverage of John McCririck's death, and indeed in our own article about Alexandra Park Racecourse, that McCririck wanted his ashes to be scattered there. Matters arising, which are largely beyond my limited expertise but which interest me anyway, might include: Any comments please? Best to all, DBaK (talk) 22:18, 29 September 2019 (UTC)
 * Should we mention that McCririck was a big Ally Pally fan, saying, for example, that part of him died when it closed in 1970?
 * Should we mention his wishes concerning his ashes? (Try saying that when you've had a few.)
 * Can we find out whether those wishes were met (or if not, why not?) and include it with an RS?

Birthplace
Interesting that a man who kept his cards close to his chest regarding his parentage, age etc (per several sources) doesn't appear to have a birth record matching his alleged birth in Surbiton in 1940. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.24.232.48 (talk) 12:01, 30 January 2024 (UTC)


 * Yes. A search FreeBMD for McCririck births, for the ten years from 1935-1944, yields only 7 individuals, none of which are John Michael, or born in Surbiton. Martinevans123 (talk) 12:10, 30 January 2024 (UTC)