Claudia Winkleman is to join Clare Balding and the team to present live coverage of Crufts, when it returns to Channel 4 on Thursday 5th March.
The four-day event will be broadcast across Channel 4 and More4, with almost 20 hours of live television.
Regular Crufts reporter Radzi Chinyanganya returns, alongside Paralympic champion swimmer Ellie Simmonds who is back for a second year in the halls of Birmingham’s NEC to present features and interviews and discover the latest news from the biggest dog show in the world. Resident vet Dr Paul Manktelow will also be offering viewers advice on best practices for looking after dogs, while commentary across the four-day event comes from Jim Rosenthal and Frank Kane.
Claudia Winkleman said: “I absolutely love dogs and there is literally nowhere else on earth I’d rather be. I can’t wait to join this incredible team and I’m so grateful to Channel 4 for allowing me to be part of it. I have a pocket rammed with treats.”
Clare Balding said: “I’m really looking forward to working with Claudia, who is a fantastic addition to the team. She really loves dogs and will bring an additional element of fun, as well an intelligent curiosity and, of course, style.”
Pete Andrews, Head of Sport at Channel 4, said: “Crufts holds a special place in the hearts of Channel 4 viewers. There is no other event like it, and it is such a thrill to be welcoming Claudia to our brilliant gang of presenters and adding to our celebration of all-things dog.”
Crufts is the largest show of its kind in the world and is organised and hosted by The Royal Kennel Club. Channel 4 has been broadcasting Crufts since 2010 and it is overseen at Channel 4 by Pete Andrews, Channel 4’s Head of Sport. Coverage is produced by Sunset+Vine and the executive producer is Gary Franses with Diana Keen as production manager.
Jon Creamer
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