Derek Thompson

[Posts: 2552Joined: 05 Mar 2004, 21:20Location: Leicester]

Zoey Bird (or Hannon as she is now) has come on a lot recently.  I remember her at ATR when it first started and she could hardly string a sentence together without half a dozen "errrr"s, but she's very capable now.

<br>I would agree with Nor that racing isn't just about betting, especially for someone like me who rarely ever bets! If it wasn't a spectacle as well, why bother visiting a racecourse? It's so much more than just a way to make money, and I just can't see how Thommo adds anything at all to that attraction.

I would actually say he's uncomfortable in front of a camera, which is why he feels the need to overact all the flippin' time!

[Posts: 1535Joined: 31 May 2004, 16:59Location: Warwick]

I like Derek.

He's nice.

Mike

[Posts: 1121Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 18:36Location: 14th March, 2pm, Prestbury Park = Bliss]

I second that.

Thommo thirds it.

;)

[Posts: 813Joined: 14 Mar 2006, 11:32]

I think Zoey Bird's desperate.  She rehashes what she reads in the RP or what someone else has just said and spends most of her time grinning inanely and/or giggling away whilst flirting with anything remotely male.

Burroughill - Zoey might officially be Hannon at the moment but erm, she's not, or won't be for much longer.

(Edited by Shadow Leader at 3:27 pm on Jan. 3, 2007)<br>

(Edited by Shadow Leader at 3:28 pm on Jan. 3, 2007)

[Posts: 4134Joined: 07 Dec 2002, 17:02Location: Talbot Green]

Shads, when I criticised Zoey in another place you threw a hissy fit.

Are you now agreeing with my statement that she was a complete bluffer??;)

Colin

[Posts: 4755Joined: 07 Oct 2002, 11:50Location: Scotland]

A couple of years ago, Tommo was up in Coylton, just outside Ayr when the Gold Cup meeting was on. He organised a charity event at a bookies shop, for the local hospice for terminally ill kids and managed to raise a few quid, with him putting £400 up. It was in the local paper and he never mentioned it on the telly later on.

I've got him down as a genuine nice bloke who has damaged his reputation by running an unprofitable tipping line. He's done more for raising the profile of racing and entertaining people than anybody on this forum. Or should I say all of the people who have contributed to this forum over the years ever have or could.

I saw his antics on C4, I thought it was hilarious.

[Posts: 6065Joined: 28 Sep 2003, 14:54Location: Twickenham]

[quote]Burroughill - Zoey might officially be Hannon at the moment but erm, she's not, or won't be for much longer.[/quote]

<br>Is it true about Zoe and Alan Berry then? :o <br>

[Posts: 2552Joined: 05 Mar 2004, 21:20Location: Leicester]

[quote]Quote: from Shadow Leader on 2:24 pm on Jan. 3, 2007[br]I think Zoey Bird's desperate.  She rehashes what she reads in the RP or what someone else has just said and spends most of her time grinning inanely and/or giggling away whilst flirting with anything remotely male.

Burroughill - Zoey might officially be Hannon at the moment but erm, she's not, or won't be for much longer.

(Edited by Shadow Leader at 3:27 pm on Jan. 3, 2007)

<br>(Edited by Shadow Leader at 3:28 pm on Jan. 3, 2007)<br>[/quote]

She doesn't appear desperate. She appears competent in front of a camera which after all must be one of the main considerations of a TV presenter, not just their knowledge. She's never assumed to be an 'expert'; there's others on ATR who fulfill that role, she's just the presenter and her views are no less valid IMHO than any other. <br>Maybe she does glean her opinions fro the RP, but then don't many of you?

[Posts: 813Joined: 14 Mar 2006, 11:32]

Ah but Colin, do you remember why I got irritated when you criticised Zoey?  It was because the style in which you posted was in a very sexist manner and seemingly suggesting women should be at home, in the kitchen!  I will agree that she's terrible though.

Fair enough Burroughill if you like Zoey - personally I think she's terrible.  As for relying on the RP for our opinions - some people may but I sure as hell don't!  Besides, for those people who do rely on the RP for their opinions, they're not going to need the RP opinion repeated if they've already read it! :biggrin:

[Posts: 2552Joined: 05 Mar 2004, 21:20Location: Leicester]

Yeah it's all a matter of taste. Each to their own etc.

I can't really comment on her knowledge/opinions, as I'm far less knowledgeable than any of you, including Zoey!

[Posts: 750Joined: 22 Apr 2004, 10:39]

Jackane, on your Star of the Year thread I suggested we bury the hatchet. Can I withdraw that suggestion now please.:biggrin: <br>The people to blame by the way are the producers of C4 racing. Notably Andrew Franklin, who set the tone long ago by employing Thompson and McCririck, and has hardly varied that tone since - thereby doing the image of the sport, and therefore its popularity with the general public, appalling damage over the years.

[Posts: 1174Joined: 06 Feb 2006, 13:59]

[quote]Quote: from Zorro on 12:21 pm on Jan. 4, 2007[br]Jackane, on your Star of the Year thread I suggested we bury the hatchet. Can I withdraw that suggestion now please.:biggrin: <br>The people to blame by the way are the producers of C4 racing. Notably Andrew Franklin, who set the tone long ago by employing Thompson and McCririck, and has hardly varied that tone since - thereby doing the image of the sport, and therefore its popularity with the general public, appalling damage over the years.[/quote]

But have McCririck and Thompsom damaged the popularity of racing?  In a society that has created some awful reality tv stars, these two are the Jade Goodies of racing and are not there to be liked by those who view the image of racing through cogniac tinted glasses.  Would lord oaksey still appeal to working class Britain?

[Posts: 446Joined: 21 Jul 2005, 10:38]

Lord Oaksey appeals to me, and I'm working class.<br>Thommo does not because he's too sycophantic.<br>McCririck has a few good points but he's too rude.