Clare Balding received an enthusiastic welcome from a capacity crowd at King’s Hall on Friday evening. Already a well-known sports presenter for radio and television, it was undoubtedly her widely acclaimed coverage of this summer’s Olympics and Paralympics that drew the majority of people to this event. Beamed into sitting-rooms across the nation, it had made her a much-loved friend.

Expectation was high. Balding did not disappoint. With her relaxed conversational style, she instantly established a rapport with her audience, who responded with spontaneous bursts of laughter and applause. Her book, My Animals and Other Family, is an amusing and moving account of her childhood, illustrated with snapshots from the family album. Balding shows how her animals, more than her parents, influenced her emotional development, making her the woman she is today, happy in her own skin, true to herself. Frank and candid in describing her weaknesses and transgressions, Balding is endearingly modest about her considerable achievements. Questions flowed easily, and it was on the topic of women’s sports where Balding became most passionate. Bemoaning the domination of men’s football, she is committed to promoting media coverage of lesser known sports. Balding freely acknowledges she is having the time of her life. Her enthusiasm is infectious. People left the hall smiling, talking animatedly to each other. For that evening, at least, the Olympic feel-good factor was back.

Carol Keighley