That’s the question people in the UK are asking on the back of 5-time gold medal winner Ian Thorpe’s debut as a commentator on television network, BBC.
The 29-year-old’s reportedly being paid $10,000 a day for the role, which he hopes will help revive his TV career. He’s there talking about the swimming, but what everyone’s talking about is his clothes and the way he talks.
This from The Age:
While they appear to appreciate what he has to say, it is how he says it that has them puzzled. Some viewers have interpreted his habit of beginning each sentence with the word ‘look’ – often accompanied by a pointing finger – as an act of aggression.
They have taken to BBC forums and Twitter to ask why, prompting his co-host to explain that he is not alone. ”The ‘look’ at the start of his answers is not aggressive, it’s an Aussie thing. Look, he’s great and a Spurs fan,” tweeted Lineker, a former player with the London soccer club Tottenham Hotspur, to his 900,000 followers.
Thorpe’s choice of jumper – a checked affair paired with a blue jacket – led the flamboyant comedian Julian Clary to tweet that he was ”very concerned” about his choice of casual wear.
Top Comments
I really like Ian Thorpe (especially after the documentary on the ABC). Helikes fashion and takes fashion risks. Good luck to him.
Does this really deserve an article? Youre all for self esteem and not judging people by appearance or the way they dress - what the heck do you think this article does?