Clare Balding and Jamie Laing were forced to apologise live on TV after the Boat RaceJack McEachen and Kieran Horn Digital Sports Journalist
15:25, 04 Apr 2026Updated 15:43, 04 Apr 2026
Clare Balding issued a live TV apology after swearing was heard following the women’s Boat Race(Image: (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images))
Boat Race presenter Clare Balding was compelled to issue an on-air apology moments after Oxford women secured their first Boat Race victory in nine years. Channel 4 reporter Jamie Laing was speaking with the triumphant crew when some strong language was broadcast.
Cox Louis Corrigan exclaimed: “What a f****** awesome day” as Laing swiftly apologised to viewers at home, with Balding promptly following suit by saying sorry for the inappropriate language. Oxford’s stroke and captain Heidi Long then found herself lost for words and confessed: “I’m quite overwhelmed.”
Oxford secured their first Women’s Boat Race triumph since 2016 with a commanding performance against Cambridge following an explosive start.
READ MORE: Every sports event BBC has lost live TV rights to as Boat Race aired on new channelREAD MORE: Clare Balding’s snub and six-word comment speak volumes after BBC let Boat Race rights go
Despite challenging conditions, Oxford held their lead to win by 9.4 seconds and mark their 31st victory overall.
“That was so incredible,” Pete Reed said on Channel 4 commentary. “They’re making the memories of a lifetime. I am so proud of them and hopefully that’s a change of momentum for the Dark Blues.”
The men’s Boat Race followed soon after with heavy favourites Cambridge taking an early and comprehensive lead over Oxford that they could not recover from. The latter were also warned on several occasions by the umpire before he also waved white flags in the direction of the eventual winners.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page
There was less controversy in that but there have been apologies issued in the past with one of those made following a Boat Race result, but this is the first since coverage moved from to Channel 4.
Back in 2022, microphones of the broadcasters picked up Cambridge Women’s cox Jasper Parish swearing while the race was ongoing.
Balding did not offer an apology on that occasion, and neither did Andrew Cotter, who was on commentary, but a BBC spokesman later stated: “Due to the nature of live sport broadcasts, unfortunately bad language can sometimes be overheard. We apologise for any offence caused.”
The women’s Boat Race was won by Oxford
In 2013, there was complaints case against the BBC, that were resolved by Ofcom, over offensive language broadcast during that edition of the race.
Winning Oxford cox Oskar Zorilla was caught swearing on several occasions and the media watchdog stated that use of the expletive was “clearly inappropriate” on a Sunday afternoon when children may have been tuning in.
From the following year, the BBC admitted it would hire a dedicated staff member who would monitor the cox microphone feeds. Ofcom received nine complaints about the incident that year.
Grand National 2026 Preview: 48-Page Guide with Tips, Runners & Expert Analysis
The 48-page guide to the 2026 Randox Grand National is packed with interviews, features, stats and all you need for the 178th running of the world’s greatest steeplechase – click here to order your copy today.
