By JENNY McCRIRICK remains as fiercely loyal and formidable as ever.
You had to be both of those — and much, much more — to stay the distance in what was a 48-year marriage to Big Mac, who died in 2019 aged 79.
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She told me: “People said John’s smoking caused his cancer.
“But I am convinced it was his sacking at Channel 4 and then the resulting tribunal that killed him. It hurt him so much.
“I knew him better than anyone and nothing anyone says will convince me otherwise.
“At one time with Channel 4, we were a big family. Yet when he was forced off-air it was devastating for him.”
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Jenny, of course, found her own fame when appearing in Celebrity Wife Swap with Big Mac and John and Edwina Currie.
Racing viewers knew Jenny only as the ‘The Booby’, the nickname Big Mac gave her. She was rarely seen but always mentioned on air.
She said: “People used to say it was belittling to be called that name but I loved it.
“John had his way. I let him think he was the boss but he knew I was in charge at home.
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“His on-air persona was just a show — and he was very good at it.”
John, who tried and failed to claim £3million in damages from Channel 4 following his sacking after accusing them of ageism, totally relied on Jenny.
On Friday nights just before midnight she drove to King’s Cross station to buy the first editions of all the newspapers for his TV review the next day.
He was totally prepared, while John Francome and Alistair Down could turn up minutes before the programme and charm their way through.
She added: “After his death, I found the Cheltenham Festival rather upsetting. Too many memories.”
Big Mac loved more than just the nags. Jenny said: “He loved all our dogs and cats.
“When John died I sold many of his hats and caps. All the money went to animal charities. He’d have wanted that.
“One day, at our Cheltenham hotel, I opened our car door and a tiny kitten jumped in. She was living rough.
“Of course, John and I ended up taking her home — and I still have Gertrude to this day.”
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