Wounded pride of Essex girls

First, Jodie Marsh was overwhelmingly evicted from the, ahem, 'Celebrity' Big Brother house after whining non-stop about the hardships of her life under the spotlight.

Yes, the same light - in case you were wondering - that snared her a substantial five-figure appearance fee, which hopefully will pay for the months of therapy the poor lass needs.

Whether that's the let's-talk-about-it therapy, the pampering aroma-and hydra-therapeutic combos or just the retail variety, it's got to come in handy for her and her wilting ego.

The wounded pride of Essex girls was still being licked when sport's most distinctive member of the south-east clan announced she had also had enough of being barracked by the public.

Athletics fans can now brave the volume button during the Commonwealth Games in the knowledge that the post-race minefield will no longer be navigated by Sally Gunnell.

The woman is a legend on the track. She was the role model for thousands during the 90s. But a TV broadcaster she ain't.

Her inane interview technique involved ambushing suffocating athletes and then asking them how they felt, before congratulating them when they'd just come eighth in an appalling performance that will haunt them for life.

She quit this week after coming second in a Daily Mail poll for the worst TV pundits.

Unsurprisingly, all of the top six were ex-players.

Ian Wright topped the lot which is probably a bit harsh - at least he's human, unlike Garth 'Yoda my hero is' Crooks in third with Tony 'Mr Interesting' Adams marginally ahead of hyperactive leprechaun Willie Carson and 'he's got the look but...' Graeme Le Saux.

Sally let the door slam behind her with a volley of verbals against the Beeb's lack of training that left her looking stupid.

She's got a point. In return for her £60,000, she was offered advice on clothes and make-up and how to sit in front of the camera.

Why pay an unqualified someone £60,000 when you can get, say, three senior journalists or two experienced broadcasters for the same price?

The reason: our Heat-magazine, celebrity-obsessed world. But it's high time that the media big-wallets realise that all that glitters is not gold. Especially when it's Sally Gunnell flashing her medal-strewn CV.

Ex-players (and their relatives) are flooding the top level of the media at a rate that is killing off proper journalism.

Some - the Gary Linekers, Alan Hansens and Brendan Fosters of the world - justify their expert billing.

But as a rule, instead of real insight built up over years of learning the trade, these has-beens are fast-tracked through to banality.

And it's the genuine sports fans that are ultimately paying the price.

What are the odds on Sally Gunnell to win CBB5?

Updated: 10:32 Saturday, January 21, 2006