Candice Warner's bold declaration ahead of massive TV move: 'Thick skin'
The cricket WAG is joining husband David in a foray into the broadcasting world.
What you see is what you get with Candice Warner – and she's not about to change for anyone. Warner will continue to tell it how it is from an athlete's perspective after signing on as a regular panellist on top-rating Fox Sports show 'The Back Page'.
The former ironwoman champion has been a semi-regular on the long-running show for years, but now becomes a permanent fixture alongside host Tony Squires. She joins husband – Australia cricket star David Warner – as part of the Fox Sports stable.
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"I was a little bit nervous and wary at first but the more you do - and Tony's been great, he's been really nurturing and backs my opinions - that gives me confidence knowing that I can speak up without thinking 'gosh, what's someone going to say?'" Candice told Yahoo Sport Australia.
"I tend to always come from pro the athlete and pro the player. I try to see things from their point of view as to why they might be doing things rather than criticising them for mistakes they've made. That's a point of difference I like to bring."
Candice Warner draws on ironwoman experience for on-air role
As for the critics, well, they're always going to be there in numbers. Warner knows it will be open season every time she offers an opinion.
"I've got really thick skin so if people don't like what I'm saying then they're at least watching the show and that's fine by me," she declared. "I know what I say comes from either a place of doing a lot of research or I understand where people are coming from.
"I'm not saying anything that I either don't believe in or I don't know as fact. People aren’t always going to love me. They might sometimes agree with what I'm saying and sometimes they won't, but that's all part and parcel of being in the media.
"As long I have an opinion and they have an opinion on my opinion, then that's fine. I'm really looking forward to - and proud of - being part of a great sports show that's been going so long."
Fox Sports Executive Director, Steve Crawley, said: "Anyone who’s seen Candice on The Back Page will understand why we’re increasing her role. She's open, honest and a real Fox Sports talent."
The Back Page airs Tuesdays at 7.30pm on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
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