Clare Balding returns to host the annual Crufts event this week, aiming to avoid any on-air blunders following a recent embarrassing incident. Reflecting on her career mistakes, she revealed feeling mortified about an error during the Celebrity Traitors show last year.

During a challenge on the show, Clare pulled a lever prematurely, resulting in a loss of thousands in prize money for the team. Although she promptly apologized upon realizing her mistake, she was labeled a Traitor and removed from the program. Recalling the “lever-gate” controversy, she shared three important life lessons learned from her experience on the BBC show.

“I’ve discovered many things about myself, including the importance of reading or listening to instructions,” Clare stated. “Speed doesn’t always equate to accuracy, and sometimes it’s best not to rush into decisions, realizing that not everything can be fixed by simply pulling a lever.”

After facing criticism for her blunder, Clare admitted she became more cautious during subsequent missions, fearing further errors. In an interview with Good Housekeeping UK magazine, she expressed regret over the incident and the impact it had on her confidence.

Discussing her approach to handling mistakes on-air, Clare emphasized the significance of acknowledging errors and seeking forgiveness. She highlighted the necessity of being honest, apologizing sincerely, and learning from missteps to rebuild trust and confidence.

While she enjoyed participating in the show despite the mishap, Clare ruled out future appearances on reality programs, notably Strictly Come Dancing, citing objections from her wife, Alice Arnold. She recounted a conversation where her wife made it clear that she disapproved of her joining the dancing competition.

The coverage of Crufts, located at Birmingham’s NEC, commences today at 3 pm on Channel 4.