John Hunt makes heroic return to BBC Radio just days after Kyle Clifford sentencing: ‘Nothing else matters’
BBC racing commentator John Hunt has made a courageous return to broadcasting, just three days after witnessing the sentencing of the man who murdered his wife and two daughters.
Hunt returned to the airwaves on Friday to cover the Cheltenham Festival for BBC Radio 5 Live.
The commentator was back at work after Kyle Clifford, 26, was handed a whole-life order on Tuesday for the murders of Hunt’s wife Carol, 61, and daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
Despite his devastating loss, Hunt vowed to carry on in memory of his family. In his powerful court statement, he said: “Whilst I am badly damaged, I am absolutely determined to see what my future is, surrounded by so many amazing people.”
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Hunt credited his daughter Hannah with giving him “a second chance” by raising the alarm before her death.
“I really believe that had she not managed to show such amazing physical and mental strength… I would have been your fourth victim that day,” he told Clifford.
Hunt returned to Radio 5 Live at 1pm on Friday to cover his 30th Cheltenham Festival, including the Gold Cup. The court proceedings were not mentioned during his introduction to the programme.
Instead, Hunt focused entirely on the racing, telling presenter Mark Chapman: “I am thinking about the individuals who illuminate this sport. Nothing else matters Mark.”
“Galopin des Champs is the Antoine Dupont of horse racing. He has looked magnificent. His form is rock solid,” the veteran broadcaster analysed.
Chapman added: “And John will call them home as only John can.”
Clifford subjected Hunt’s family to a terrifying five-hour ordeal last July after he became “enraged” when Louise ended their 18-month relationship.
At Clifford’s sentencing, Hunt delivered an emotional victim impact statement despite the killer refusing to attend.
“The screams of hell, Kyle. I can hear them faintly now. They’re going to roll the red carpet out for you,” Hunt told the court.
He described Clifford as a “psychopath” and added: “The impact of what you have done will be taken to my grave.”
In his 1,900-word statement, Hunt vowed to “channel my inner Atticus Finch” and show “what real courage is.”
Hunt’s return to broadcasting exemplifies the determination he expressed in court when he said: “Do you really think after what she did for me, I will slight her memory and example by just giving up?”
