Racing pundit John McCririck has long been out of date and should have shown the door at Channel 4 And presumably leave the likes of Saga and The Federation of Women's Institutes to fight their own battles. Well, as McCririck has always told us, it's a jungle down there; dog eat dog, Big Mac eat Big Mac. Channel 4 "vigorously" rejected the suggestion that ageism "played any part in the decision not to renew his freelance contract" (although stopped short of countersuing for "buffoonism"). In truth, they should admit "Hell yeah, it was because of age." There is nothing wrong with ageism if the said individual refuses to move on from an age when it wasn't offensive to keep addressing one's wife as "The Booby," when it was permissible to perpetuate chauvinism at work, when it was humorous to scream at racegoers "you prat" for daring to wave at the camera, when "English eccentricity" was a catch-all for tedious vulgarity. But then, McCririck insists he was never "asked to change my presentation style." Why did a producer not haul him in to HQ and tell him to shave those absurd sideburns, dispense with that ridiculous garb and shed that garish jewellery? Why did a boss not order him to desist from shouting at punters, halt all that distracting tic-tac nonsense and, most importantly, to stop that impersonation of Sid James meets Andy Capp? They did not because they realised that without all this he would not be John McCririck. And without all this there would not be the need for John McCririck. He cannot have it both ways. McCririck invented this persona and for decades lived very comfortably from its controversy. It has long been out of date and he should have long been out the door. It is as simple as that and it is desperation on his part to attempt to pass it off as otherwise. It is also offensive to those who have been genuine victims of ageism. Channel 4 cannot buckle. Terrestrial racing is a far more peaceful, progressive and inclusive place without McCririck. It is just a shame he will find gainful employment elsewhere in the sport and, thus, any of us who do enjoy a trip to the races are in danger of encountering this thoroughly objectionable figure. At the Cheltenham Festival in 2011 I witnessed him haranguing a young female security guard for daring to ask to see his badge as he walked from Tattersalls into the Club Enclosure. He proceeded to embark on a finger-pointing rant, which can be summed up: "Don't you know who I am?" Oblivious to the irony, he called her "rude," before waltzing through - still without showing his badge. "I don't know who he is, actually," commented the stunned steward. Her male colleague chimed in: "We've been told we have to check everyone's badge. Even if they are the Queen. I also don't know who he is, either. Should I? No, he should not. In this case, ignorance was indeed bliss. Thank you Channel 4 for beginning to spread this joy. Ageism is wasted on the uncouth.