Horse racing broadcaster John McCririck has accused Channel 4 of "ageism", after he was axed from the channel this week.

The charismatic 72-year-old, who has appeared on 'Celebrity Big Brother' twice, has covered betting for 31 years, first on ITV then Channel 4.

He noted that of the 13 people now presenting Channel 4's racing coverage, only Jim McGrath was over 50.

john mccririck

John McCririck has been axed from Channel 4

He wrote on Twitter:


John McCririck
I give Channel 4 racing a year before it is axed due to plummeting ratings and airhead presenters

And The Sun reports he said: "Naturally I am devastated at being sacked. According to Channel 4, I’m being sacked after audience research.”

He added: “It is so sad that Channel 4 boss Jay Hunt and production chief Carl Hicks, both long-time BBC executives, have again gone down their well-worn path of ageism.”

The veteran pundit, 72, is being replaced by sidekick Tanya Stevenson and next year's racing coverage will be lead by Clare Balding.

Balding, one of the stars of the BBC's Olympics coverage, will also front a Saturday night entertainment show, 'Britain's Brightest', early next year which puts 24 brainboxes to the test to find the ultimate egghead.

A Channel 4 spokeswoman told the BBC the new team "reflects our desire to give a new approach to covering horseracing as we become the terrestrial home of the sport".

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  • John McCririck and his wife Jenny McCririck during Day One of the 2011 Royal Ascot Meeting.

  • John McCririck, horse racing pundit

  • Racing pundit John McCririck on Ladies Day, during the Investec Derby Festival.

  • Racing pundit John McCririck on Ladies Day, during the Investec Derby Festival.

  • Racing pundit and presenter John McCririck (right) at the draw for the William Hill Greyhound Derby

  • Racing pundit and presenter John McCririck (2nd left) at the draw for the William Hill Greyhound Derby

  • Racing pundit and presenter John McCririck (right) at the draw for the William Hill Greyhound Derby

  • John McCririck on the trading floor during the BGC Partner's 6th Annual Charity Day, at Churchill Place in Canary Wharf, east London.

  • John McCririck is evicted from the Ultimate Big Brother House on August 27, 2010 in London.

  • John McCririck is evicted from the Ultimate Big Brother House on August 27, 2010 in London.

  • John McCririck is evicted from the Ultimate Big Brother House on August 27, 2010 in London.

  • John McCririck is evicted from the Ultimate Big Brother House on August 27, 2010 in London.

  • Tipster John McCririck during the Wimbledon Greyhound Derby at Wimbledon Greyhound track, Wimbeldon.

  • John McCririck arrives at the TRIC Awards at Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

  • John McCririck arrives at the TRIC Annual Awards, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.

  • Racing pundit John McCririck enjoys a cigar

  • John McCririck during the First Day of the John Smith's Grand National meeting at Aintree Racecourse.

  • John McCririck commentates during the International Toddler Racing Championships on Christian O'Connell's breakfast show for Absolute Radio in London.