Get rid of Carlton Kirby

Some have said that this petition is 'cruel', but if you're in the public eye then you are open to criticism. Also, Kirby criticises riders in almost every race. Partly, of course, that's his job - but if you give it out, you have to take it. Also, I would say many of his criticisms are unfair and/or cruel. As just one example, the long list of criticisms he has levelled at Thibault Pinot.

This man is an embarrassment to the English speaking world. His bias towards anglophones in the peloton sometimes leads to horrific slander against non English speakers. When an anglophone attacks unsuccessfully it’s all good show, great try. When a Spanish speaking rider attacks he’s like “what could he be thinking?” And that’s the nicest way he puts it. Also, whenever they pair him with an actual cyclist for commentary, the cyclist spends all his time setting CK straight for the inane things he says. Whenever we watch a race he commentates we spend all the race telling him to shut the f up.

Euros should announce Euro races, not a self-absorbed Brit

Carlton needs to go.

A good test of a cycling commentator is that you can shut your eyes and understand what is happening. I have no idea when Carlton commentates, he likes to talk in cliches. The standard of commentators has improved in recent times, and sadly Carlton has fallen behind the others.

I shall just leave here a comment I just wrote out on reddit: I’m a very casual cycling fan, and usually catch TdF footage on ITV in England where I’m lucky enough (as I now realise) to have Ned Boulting and David Millar commentating. I’ve been watching the Basque tour this week on Eurosport and have been infuriated by the crap commentary. So much so that I did some digging to find out who this man was that was mispronouncing everything, making off-hand offensive remarks, speaking totally incongruously to the pacing of the race, and just generally withholding race and rider information from me. Now I’ve ended up here and am glad (I suppose) to have found people that agree with me. If I was a big cycling fan and his was my only source of commentary for big races I’d be pretty furious. Commiserations.

Complete idiot

Absolute asshat

I often avoid races or watch them with sound off of Carlton Kirby is the commentator

He's ruining lots of people's enjoyment of cycling. If you don't complain, nothing can change. You must realise that people's feelings are quite strong - and quite numerous- to get so many signatures on a petition as niche as this.

I'm watching on Eurosport via my Skybox. do you know if I can switch to French? That would be a blessed relief! My French isn't too bad and I'm sure I'd understand more than I can of CK's mangled English. Come to think of it, double Dutch makes more sense than that.

That was a very respectful (and in my view very restrained) comment on CK's competence. It certainly didn't warrant your immoderate, snide, personal response, James. Shame on you!!

In your opinion, James. You're welcome to it but most on here clearly disagree with you very strongly. As does everyone I know who's interested in the sport. That includes the brother of a Tour de France stage winner, who says most of the peloton can't abide him or his drivel either. More than anything, the man is just irritating beyond belief. In my opinion. So your self-righteous preaching is not going to convert anyone, I'm afraid! And if you think he knows cycling, then you clearly have absolutely no clue about it yourself.

5 years ago Featured

He is, isnt he, James? If I'd been so rude about people (eg, Fabio Aru, amongst many others) while at work, I'd have most certainly lost my job by now. That's quite apart from his complete incompetence, which warrants his dismissal in any event.

Carlton has nothing to add of any relevance. His commentary is simply describing what is happening on screen. There is no tactical info, no info on form, no predictions. And worst of all he doesn't provide the riders names. Stop chuckling at your own jokes and pass the mic to Brian

He is truly awful. I switchthe commentary to French

Please

But would you sign the petition, please?

I don't dislike Carlton Kirby, but I do strongly believe with the recent addition of commentators such as Dan Lloyd, Matt Stephens, and Adam Blythe, his style of commentating is looking to be more and more out of touch with what the bulk of viewers want, perhaps even a bit old fashioned. Personally, and from reading forums, it would seem that people want accurate commentary, picking out riders, and actual attacks, and also critically we are fine with a bit of silence, we don't need to hear words all the time. I can see how he could well be excellent for other sports, such as perhaps golf, darts, and motorsport (Which I know is one of his manin loves), but for me, with the likes of the 3 names I mentioned above, plus Magnus and Rob Hatch, I think Carlton's skills could be better used away from cycling. Thanks Dan

He hasn’t got a clue