Axed Guardian columnist Martin Kelner has been signed up by the Racing Post.
Kelner’s last weekly Screen break column appeared in The Guardian on 30 December after 16 years writing about sport on TV for the paper.
His new column (again writing about sport on TV) will appear on Tuesdays in the Racing Post with the first instalment appearing tomorrow.
In his last Guardian column, Kelner wrote: “This newspaper, like the rest of us, is having to embrace austerity. As even middle-class families find it necessary to forgo fripperies like meals out and weekends away – and those less well-fixed do without luxuries like shoes and food – so this newspaper trims its sails too.
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“Think of me as a spring break in a lovely spa resort we can no longer stump up for. In any case, I'm told there's a factory in Indonesia that turns out these columns at a price I could never match. Harsh economics, I'm afraid.”
Guardian News and Media is currently trying to cuts to the annual editor ial budget totalling £7m. The company plans to make 100 editorial staff redundant. Kelner is not included in this total because he was on a freelance contract which was not renewed.
The Racing Post said in a statement: “The former Guardian journalist will continue with his lighthearted and witty preambles about the world of sport on TV. His first column offers refreshing insight on this year’s Celebrity Big Brother contestants including Frankie Dettori, along with a closer inspection of the betting for the reality TV show.
Editor Bruce Millington said: "I've been a huge admirer of Martin's writing for many years so it's tremendous that he's now a columnist for the Racing Post. The positive reaction we've had from readers and within the media shows the regard in which Martin is held."
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