Celebrity Big Brother star Chris Hughes quit his ITV Racing job after a row over pay.
The former Love Island star, 32, is a lifelong horse racing fan and landed a dream job on ITV Racing in 2019, during which he co-hosted the channel’s coverage of huge race meetings, including the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot.
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He was a regular presenter of ITV Racing’s Social Stable, alongside Oli Bell, 37, who remains a host on the channel.
Earlier this month, Oli was co-presenting the Social Stable at Aintree’s Grand National Festival alongside one of ITV Racing’s newest recruits, former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star Sam Quek.
A source said: “Chris had a dream job on ITV Racing, but things turned sour after his ITV wouldn’t up his pay. He wasn’t paid what he thought he was owed.
“He had a great rapport with Oli in the Social Stable, and ITV Racing viewers have been left wondering where he went.
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“It will have hit Chris hard to see ITV Racing’s Social Stable move on with Sam taking the reins alongside Oli.
“But he was in great spirits at Aintree, just days ahead of his Celebrity Big Brother stint.”
Chris’s rep had no comment, ITV were also contacted for comment.
Chris is still a regular at British racecourses, and was decked out in clothing brand House of Cavani’s luxury suits throughout this year’s Cheltenham Festival in March.
During the four-day event, Chris told how he hadn’t missed a Cheltenham Festival since he was 12 years old.
Following the event, some fans took to Chris’ Instagram to question why he hadn’t been presenting on ITV Racing, and called for his return.
One fan wrote: “Why are you not on itv – even my 79 year old mum asked where you were ! Terrible as you are so knowledgeable on racing”
Chris replied: “tell your 79 year old mother, I shall grace her television screen soon”
Another posted: “Why aren’t you on the show with Ollie ?? X”
One of Chris’ supporters wrote: “Why you not at ITV anymore?”
Chris was a runner at the Grand National Festival at Aintree in early April, where his fellow CBB housemate Chesney Hawkes, 53, was also in attendance, just days before the pair entered the iconic abode.