Chrissie Swan has been forced to defend her work as co-host of Channel 10’s Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix broadcast, saying she was simply following orders.
The Channel 10 personality was the target of public criticism about the coverage, which questioned her level of motorsport knowledge and overall suitability as a host. Several critics also slammed the network for choosing to air interviews with various Channel 10 celebrities instead of covering the support races that precede the main event.
One Reddit thread began with the following post by user SmellYaLater: “For F**K’S SAKE Channel 10 – Can we please see some racing cars on the Grand Prix weekend, instead of lame celebrities talking about stupid s**t?”
There were several such attacks via social media, including one from Twitter user Kos Nation which accused Channel 10 of having “ruined the F1 broadcast” and suggested that “no one cares” about Chrissie Swan. Out of all the vitriol, it was that blast which prompted Swan to hit back.
The former Big Brother contestant replied with the following straight-shooting tweet:
She also later wrote, “And for the record, I too wondered what I was doing there.”
Swan shared the hosting job with former Australian cricketer, Adam Gilchrist, whose appointment was also criticised. “Why is Gilchrist even on the F1 coverage? It’s pathetic,” wrote Reddit user, momobeer247.
Channel 10 is yet to comment on the backlash.
Top Comments
...because most of the population consider motor racing to be the passtime of folks and organisations with more money than sense, so (almost) no-one cares who hosted it.
And tonight on MKR, our guest Judge is former PM Tony Abbott.
Seriously, there is a time and a place for everything Channel 10.You picked the wrong time and place - and I still love Chrissie.