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BBC stars have all said same thing about working with Wimbledon host Clare Balding

Clare Balding continues as the face of the BBC's Wimbledon coverage as this edition draws to a close but her colleagues' opinions of her are telling

[Clare Balding BBC TV commentator at The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship at the All England Lawn and Tennis Club at Wimbledon]

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Clare Balding is the BBC's lead at Wimbledon(Image: Getty)

Clare Balding has been front and centre for the BBC during their coverage of this edition of Wimbledon. And the lead presenter is admired by many of those who work alongside her.

Balding is British broadcasting royalty. She has over three decades of television experience and has covered eight Summer Olympic Games as well as seven Winter Olympic Games.

The 55-year-old is also tasked with hosting coverage of various other sporting events and in 2023, became the BBC's lead presenter from SW19. This has continued for the 2026 renewal and she already knows what some of her colleagues think.

Balding, whose recognisable face can also be spotted anchoring from Crufts and the Boat Race, works closely with presenter Isa Guha from the All England Club.

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When Balding was named as the BBC's lead three years ago, Guha made it abundantly clear the respect she has for her peer. She told the Press Association: "Clare is the ultimate professional.

[Isa Guha of Fox Sports reacts during day three of the Third Test Match in the 2025-26 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Adelaide Oval]

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Guha was complimentary of Balding(Image: Getty)

"She's got so much energy about her and that's what she brings to the screen. You very much feel you're in there with her when she's talking to you.

"I think she wants to do it in a way that's true to her and that's bringing that energy. I think as people who haven't played tennis to a professional standard, it's asking those questions the general audience wants to hear. You get that different take."

Balding took over from beloved long-time Wimbledon lead Sue Barker in 2023, when she was given her current role. The departing Barker also had some kind words for her successor.

She said: "I just want to say, leaving Wimbledon, it's incredibly I've loved it all my life. I know I'm leaving it in the safest hands, it's absolutely wonderful to leave it with Clare."

It's not just Balding's Wimbledon contemporaries who have voiced their appreciation for her. Former skier Chemmy Alcott worked with Balding on the BBC's 2026 Winter Olympics coverage and admitted she was quite starstruck.

[Chemmy Alcott of Great Britain finishes her run during the Alpine Skiing Women's Super Combined Downhill on day 3 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Rosa Khutor]

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Alcott was a Team GB skier(Image: Getty)

Alcott told The Sun: "It's live. Anything can go wrong or you can have the ride of your life. These are all the same attributes I had to deal with as an athlete.

"Except now I'm doing it next to Clare Balding. She's an icon and, I'm proud to say, a good friend. So to be working with her on TV is always a 'pinch me' moment."

Balding will wrap up proceedings from SW19 as the men's and women's singles finals near and the Championships come to an exciting end for 2026.

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