Racing commentator John Hunt returns to BBC airwaves after harrowing trial of wife and daughters’ murderer
Racing commentator John Hunt has returned to the BBC airwaves days after sitting through the harrowing trial and sentence of the man who murdered his wife and two of his daughters.
When all was said and done on Tuesday, the judge paid tribute to the Hunt family’s ‘gentle heroism’ – in stark contrast to cowardly killer Kyle Clifford, who refused to come and face them.
During Clifford’s sentencing hearing, Mr Hunt, his voice trembling at times, moved the courtroom to tears with a deeply emotional 1,700-word statement paying tribute to his ‘three beautiful mockingbirds’.
In it, he vowed: ‘Whilst I am badly damaged, I am determined to see what my future is, surrounded by so many amazing people.’
Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of John Hunt, Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28, all died in the attack last summer (Pictures: Hertfordshire Police/PA)
He added: ‘Hannah handed me a second chance, one that she worked so hard to achieve for me. Do you really think after what she did for me, I will slight her memory and example by just giving up?
‘Even though the days are difficult and feel on many occasions, impossible, I will channel my inner Atticus Finch at all times. He said: “I want you to see what real courage is”.’
On Friday, Mr Hunt returned to work with a stint on BBC Radio 5 Live covering the Cheltenham Festival.
The court proceedings were not mentioned during his introduction to the programme.
John Hunt paid moving tribute to his ‘three beautiful mockingbirds’ (Picture: Nicholas Razzell)
Introducing him to Radio Five Live listeners, presenter Mark Chapman said: ‘John is in his usual commentary position yet again.’
Mr Hunt replied: ‘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.’
Chapman reminded listeners that this year’s Festival is the 30th Mr Hunt has covered, with his first won by the great Best Mate.
Mr Hunt said: ‘It really does take me back. Everything about Best Mate was geared to Cheltenham. Galopin is even better than Best Mate.
‘The weight of history can prove too heavy a toll and strange things can happen – he’s still got 22 fences ahead – but if he’s cherry ripe he will bring this home.’
Chapman added: ‘And John will call them home as only John can.’
Prosecutors said Clifford became ‘enraged’ when ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt ended their 18-month relationship, leading him to ‘carefully’ plan the murders.
Clifford gained access to the family home by deceiving Mr Hunt’s wife Carol Hunt, then stabbed her to death in a ‘brutal knife attack’.
After killing Mrs Hunt, Clifford ‘lay in wait’ for an hour for Louise to enter the house, then restrained, raped and murdered her with a crossbow.
He then fatally shot Hannah Hunt when she returned to the property in the quiet cul-de-sac of Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire, after work.
Kyle Clifford was handed a whole-life order at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday for the crossbow and knife murders of his ex-partner Louise Hunt, her sister Hannah Hunt and their mother Carol Hunt on July 9 last year (Picture: BBC)
‘What about me?’ Mr Hunt said in his statement.
‘The impact of what you have done will be taken to my grave but on the way there, I want you to know that I stand strong before you today.
‘As you are consigned to a fate far greater than death, I can draw on the love and strength that I still feel from the girls in every moment of every day. I am lucky.’
Mr Hunt reportedly confirmed with BBC colleagues during the week that he was ready to return to work.
Darren Owen, who had been deputising for Hunt as lead commentator on the opening three days of the Festival, told the Telegraph: ‘All of us are behind him 100% of the way.
‘You can’t put into words what actually happened. He is the most lovely, lovely individual.’
Rupert Bell, the Talksport commentator, said: ‘Even to hear him now on commentary, you wouldn’t think anything had gone on.
‘He is an outstanding commentator, not just in racing. His swimming commentaries are as good as anyone in the past.
‘I just hope Cheltenham is a great opportunity for him to go out and do his day job and be able to feel the love and appreciation of everyone around him, because it’s obviously been a wretched year.
‘I have nothing but admiration for him and always have.’
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