ITV Racing Faces Mounting Criticism Over Presenter Shake-Up
ITV executives are confronting a significant backlash from dedicated horseracing enthusiasts following the controversial decision to remove popular presenter Chris Hughes from their Cheltenham Festival coverage this year. In a move that has sparked widespread discontent, the broadcaster replaced Hughes with social media influencer GK Barry, whose real name is Grace Keeling.
Cost-Cutting Measures Behind the Decision
The former Love Island star has disclosed that his removal formed part of a broader cost-reduction initiative across ITV's sports programming. Hughes revealed that he had even proposed working "for free" during one of the festivals to retain his position, but the offer was ultimately declined by network management.
Chris Hughes, 33, had established himself as a respected and knowledgeable racing pundit after securing what he previously described as his "dream job" with ITV Racing in 2019. His departure from the broadcaster's lineup occurred shortly after his participation in Celebrity Big Brother last year, where he finished in sixth place.
New Presenters Struggle to Win Over Viewers
GK Barry and fellow YouTube personality Calfreezy, whose actual name is Callum Airey, have assumed presenting responsibilities from the iconic Gloucestershire racecourse. However, the duo appears to have failed to capture the audience's approval, particularly after Grace Keeling admitted she attended the festival more for "the vibes" than for the racing itself.
One frustrated viewer expressed their dissatisfaction on social media platform X, stating: "Never heard of Goalkeeper Barry or Carl Freezer but this shows ITV made a real horlicks by getting rid of Chris Hughes because he quite rightly wanted a bit more in wages because he was actually very good at what he did and he knew his racing too!"
Hughes Clarifies Departure Circumstances
Chris Hughes personally responded to clarify the situation surrounding his exit. He wrote: "I never once asked for more money, I was simply told they were cost cutting across sport, euros were coming up etc, and I was one of them that was removed to cost cut. I even offered to work for free at one of the festivals."
Other racing fans have questioned whether ITV has sacrificed genuine sporting expertise in favor of online celebrity appeal. One commentator noted: "I'm all for trying to get new people into racing @itvracing, but this was a big miss imo, there's plenty of people in the public eye that at least have an ounce of understanding."
Hughes' Deep Racing Roots and Career
Chris Hughes, who initially gained fame through the ITV2 reality series Love Island, has long been recognized as a passionate horseracing aficionado. Born and raised near Cheltenham, he has attended the prestigious festival since childhood, developing profound connections to the sport.
He previously told the Daily Mail: "I have lived in the Cotswolds all my life and have always loved horses and racing. I have been going to the Cheltenham Festival since I was 10 years old. Growing up near the track, you understand why the Festival is so special and why there is such a buzz about it."
Beyond his presenting duties for ITV Racing, Hughes has participated in charity races at York and regularly rides out for local trainer Jonjo O'Neill. During his tenure with the broadcaster, he co-hosted coverage of major racing events including the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot, while also serving as a regular presenter on ITV Racing Social Stable alongside Oli Bell, who continues as a host on the channel.
Personal Life and Relationship Developments
Away from the racetrack, Chris Hughes has attracted media attention for his personal life. He is currently in a relationship with American singer and television personality JoJo Siwa, whom he met during his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother last year.
The couple confirmed their romance shortly after the show concluded, with JoJo recently commemorating their nine-month anniversary by sharing a photograph of Chris with her dog Clyde. She captioned the post: "9 months with my favourite boy (Clyde's favourite too)," accompanied by a white love heart emoji.
