Two new faces join Clare Balding for Crufts 2025 with more TV coverage on Channel 4 than ever before

• Paralympian Ellie Simmonds and former professional rugby player Ed Jackson join returning host Clare Balding to cover all the action from Crufts
• Channel 4 and More 4 will broadcast nearly 20 hours over four days live from Birmingham’s NEC
• Coverage includes range of popular Crufts events including Flyball, Agility, Heelwork to Music, The Hero Dog Award, Scruffts, and Best in Show.

The world’s most famous dog show, Crufts, returns to Channel 4 on 6th March when presenter Clare Balding will lead nearly 20 hours of coverage from the four-day event in Birmingham.

Clare will be joined by regular Crufts reporter Radzi Chinyanganya and two new faces, Paralympic Champion Ellie Simmonds and former professional rugby player Ed Jackson. Ellie and Ed will take to the halls of the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre presenting features, interviews and all the latest news from the biggest dog show in the world.

Clare Balding leads live coverage of the event, which celebrates its 75th year of being broadcast, while Radzi will capture all the excitement and emotion from the arena. 

And resident vet Dr Paul Manktelow will also be offering viewers advice on best practices for looking after dogs throughout the coverage.

More than 200 pedigree breeds from 51 different countries will compete for the prestigious Best in Show title, which will be awarded live on Channel 4 on the final evening of the event on 9th March. 

Viewers will be able to watch Crufts on Channel 4, More 4 and on Channel 4 Streaming across the four days. Coverage will include all the most popular events including Flyball, Agility, Heelwork to Music, The Kennel Club Hero Dog award and the prestigious Best in Show. 

Scruffts, which gives crossbred dogs a moment in the spotlight, will also be featured in the line up.

In the lead up to Crufts, Clare, Ellie, Ed and Radzi have shared their thoughts about what they’re looking forward to and what viewers can expect from this year’s coverage. 

Clare Balding said: “I’m thrilled to be a part of the Channel 4 Crufts team once again. It’s one of the highlights of my year as I love being surrounded by dogs and always enjoy the chaos that can ensue when we have them in the studio. I love finding out more about the different breeds and putting the spotlight on the good that dogs do and the joy they bring to our lives. For me, the mixture of events on show for dogs to be a part of beats anything in the world but the climax is always Best in Show. I enjoy the drama of the best six dogs going head to head and the pride of all those involved. It’s a magical four days for dog lovers.”

Ellie Simmonds added: “Every so often an opportunity arises that makes you smile from ear to ear, and as the world’s biggest dog fan - although I suspect there’ll be a few in attendance who’ll challenge me for that crown - the chance to be an actual part of Crufts is absolutely one of them!

“Having attended the event as a spectator over the years, I know just what a wonderful occasion it is and I really am just over the moon to be involved.”

Ed Jackson said: “I’ve had dogs my whole life, but this will be my first time at Crufts, so I’m really looking forward to finally experiencing it in person. I love how it brings together all kinds of dogs, from the perfectly groomed show dogs to the high-energy agility stars. Having owned Boxers and Bulldogs, I’ve always had a soft spot for the more characterful breeds, so I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for them. But honestly, I’m just excited to soak up the atmosphere, meet fellow dog lovers, and see some amazing dogs doing what they do best.”

Radzi Chinyanganya said: “Crufts is four unmissable days of pure dopamine! As well as expert tips, tricks and advice, we can expect cuteness in abundance stories of total inspiration. I was actually bitten twice as a kid and so always carried a bit of fear with dogs... and that was totally eradicated because of my time at Crufts! A special event, with even more special dogs!”

Pete Andrews, Head of Sport at Channel 4, added: “Each year, Crufts draws in dog lovers across the country, who can enjoy watching a wide range of events, as well as hearing advice from the experts. We’re delighted this year will mark our largest coverage offering to date, with nearly 20 hours available across the four-day event. Viewers can watch live coverage on Channel 4 and More 4, or catch up at their leisure through Channel 4 streaming.”

Around 24,000 dogs will be in attendance over the four days of the show.

Organised and hosted by The Kennel Club, the largest organisation in the UK devoted to dog health, welfare, and training, Crufts is the largest show of its kind in the world and has been broadcast by Channel 4 and produced by Sunset+Vine since 2010.

About Channel 4

Channel 4 exists to create change through entertainment. Publicly owned yet commercially funded, Channel 4 generates significant and sustainable cultural, economic and social impact across the UK – at no cost to the taxpayer.  

The broadcaster’s distinctive remit is set by Parliament, and it has a role to represent unheard voices, challenge with purpose and reinvent entertainment. For more than 40 years, it has been a British success story, engaging generation after generation of young people.

With a unique publisher-broadcaster model, Channel 4 commissions its content from the UK independent production sector. Working with hundreds of creative companies every year, Channel 4 makes a major contribution to the local, regional and national economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the country.  

In 2024, Channel 4 launched its Fast Forward strategy to accelerate its transformation into an agile and genuinely digital-first public service streamer by 2030. It is designed to ensure Channel 4 embraces the generational shift in TV viewing, elevates its impact across the UK and stands out in a crowded market. 

From its bases in London, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow, Channel 4 is fully committed to harnessing the power of its regional structure to increase its impact across the UK. Through its training and development initiative 4Skills is opening up opportunities in broadcasting, with a particular focus on disadvantaged young people and addressing skills gaps across the Nations and Regions. 4Skills invests £5m in training, development and learning opportunities annually and this will double to £10m by 2025. 

Channel 4 has the UK’s biggest free streaming service. Through Film4 Productions, Channel 4 also invests in British filmmakers to huge critical acclaim, producing 43 Oscar wins and 97 BAFTA wins in its history.

https://www.channel4.com/ 

How to watch

Thursday 6th Feb 

15:00 - 16:00 (Channel 4) 

18:30 - 19:30  (More4) 

19:30 - 21:00  (Channel 4) 

Friday 7th Feb 

15:00 - 16:00  (Channel 4) 

18:30 - 19:30  (More4) 

19:30 - 21:00  (Channel 4) 

Saturday 8th Feb 

14:00 - 18:00  (Channel 4) 

19:00 - 21:00  (Channel 4) 

Sunday 9th Feb 

14:00 - 18:00  (Channel 4) 

19:00 - 21:00  (Channel 4)

About Crufts and The Kennel Club 
 

• Crufts is held from 6 – 9 March 2025 at the NEC Birmingham. Viewers can follow all the action and highlights on Channel 4 and More4, and for further information and tickets visit crufts.org.uk  
• For journalists who wish to attend Crufts 2025, accreditation is open online at crufts.org.uk/media-centre/press-accreditation  
• Press releases from the event will be available at crufts.org.uk/media-centre. Interview requests, case studies, press information and additional editorial is available by emailing press.office@thekennelclub.org.uk  
• Images of Crufts 2024 can be found at: digitalcontentdownload.com/crufts_2024/  
• For the latest Crufts updates, like the official Crufts Facebook page at facebook.com/crufts, follow us on X: @crufts - x.com/Crufts, Instagram: @crufts – instagram.com/crufts and TikTok: @crufts. Join the conversation using #Crufts2025 
• The Kennel Club, organiser of Crufts, is one of the UK’s largest organisation dedicated to the health and welfare of dogs. At its heart are programmes and investments in education and health initiatives to help dogs across the UK to live long, healthy, happy lives with responsible owners   
• Crufts is a unique celebration of happy, healthy dogs and of the loving relationship that they enjoy with their owners. It recognises the varied roles that dogs play in society and highlights the many different disciplines and activities for dogs and owners