Megan Nicholls ‘felt misplaced’ on ‘overwhelming’ ITV Racing debut – however not anymore

She’s emerged as one of many stars of ITV Racing – however Megan Nicholls can nonetheless bear in mind the nerves on her first day within the job.

Megan, who’s the daughter of distinguished Cheltenham Festival coach Paul Nicholls, was nonetheless having fun with her profession as a jockey when she obtained the chance with the terrestrial broadcaster. Having impressed on Racing TV, the 26-year-old caught the attention of veteran racing journalist Matt Chapman.

Chapman, an everyday on each channels, put in a superb phrase for Nicholls with ITV. That, mixed together with her pure means in entrance of the digicam, noticed her given the possibility to indicate her experience on the broadcaster’s Opening Show, which acts as {a magazine} programme earlier than the day’s dwell racing.

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It was a possibility she grasped with each arms, although she admits the ITV bosses won’t have been too impressed together with her immediately. “It started when I was still riding,” Nicholls says in an unique interview with Daily Star Sport as she discusses her media profession up to now.

“My first opportunity was with Racing TV and Matt Chapman was always very encouraging. He put in a good word for me in order to get a chance with ITV, and I guess with his kind word and having done bits for Racing TV, it just went from there really.

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“I’ve worked hard to try and improve in that time. I’m sure after my debut performance on ITV the bosses were thinking ‘what on earth has Matt Chapman seen here!’

“I used to be fairly stunned how totally different it was from what I used to be used to on Racing TV. I bear in mind pondering ‘gosh, I really feel a bit of bit misplaced right here.’ You’ve set to work onerous at it; you’re by no means at your perfect on the primary day on the job, are you?”

Reflecting further, she told us: “It was overwhelming but it surely was enjoyable. I used to be a bit nervous however the group take care of you and information you. we obtained via it!”

Nicholls got here via her debut and has labored her means as much as change into a longtime member of the ITV Racing group. She’s now in a position to dedicate extra of her time to the media after retiring as a jockey in 2022.

Also an envoy for BetMGM, she has been on our screens already this week throughout Ladies Day and Champion Day. And she’s going to proceed alongside the likes of AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh because the Festival reaches its crescendo on Friday.

“It sounds cliché but ITV are such a family,” Nicholls provides. “Everyone will get on so properly. I grew up with Ruby [Walsh] as dad’s jockey, and I’ve all the time appeared as much as him as an older brother determine for those who like.

“He was always around ours and the yard an awful lot. To now be able to work with him is amazing. Everyone is always trying to help and looking out for each other. We’re spoilt with the team that we have, we’re very lucky. We give each other a bit of stick on air but everyone is very much good friends; it’s a big family.”

Being a TV persona may also carry issues, particularly from viewers. Plenty of sports activities broadcasters – female and male – obtain abuse from trolls on social media, whether or not that be for his or her seems to be, voice or presenting fashion. In horse racing, that can be prolonged to not offering profitable ideas.

Having spent a few years as a jockey, the place performances are scrutinised to the nth diploma by armchair pundits on social media, it is one thing Nicholls is used to. That, mixed with the clever phrases from her dad Paul –one of many UK’s most profitable trainers – imply it isn’t one thing she actually thinks about.

“You always get the odd person who isn’t your biggest fan, but you’re not going to be popular with everyone,” Nicholls explains. “If they don’t like the sound of your voice or the colour of your hair, it’s not really any of their business.

“I’ve grown up within the sport and pa has all the time handled all of these issues very properly; he’s been a superb individual to look as much as in that respect. He’s good at saying ‘simply ignore it, do you actually care about that individual’s opinion of what you sound like.’

“It’s not something I can change. I like to think that I try and hold myself in a decent way, and I like to think that I present myself in a respectable manner.

“As lengthy as I come away from each present pondering I’ve completed myself and the group proud, on the finish of the day in case your 6/1 tip finishes third as a substitute of profitable, otherwise you stumble over one in all your sentences and folks need to slate you for that, then so be it.

“You’ve done the team proud and yourself proud. I’m really not too worried about what people will say.”

Megan Nicholls is a Horseracing Ambassador for Bet MGM and can be on ITV Racing, ITV1 1-4.30pm each day of the Cheltenham Festival.