Racing pundit John McCririck has said he is to sue Channel 4 for £3 million claiming the broadcaster axed him from its racing coverage because he was too old.
The presenter - known for his bling, sideburns and deerstalker - was dropped when the station unveiled its new presenting team headed by Clare Balding.
McCririck has previously criticised the decision by Channel 4 to award the contract to produce the racing coverage to IMG Sports Media, ending its previous agreement with Highflyer.
In a statement the 72-year-old said: "Channel 4 and production company IMG Sports Media were yesterday each served a letter before action for age discrimination. After 29 years with Channel 4 Racing, on a rolling annual contract, I have been sacked without any consultation or cogent explanation. I am 72.
"For loss of future earnings, unfair career damaging, public humiliation, stress and mental anguish, I will be seeking £500,000. Ageism is illegal. For tens of thousands of employees it has become the feared scourge of our society.
"This litigation should prove to be a watershed. There's no upper limit to the amount of damages employment tribunals can award under the Equality Act 2010. I am seeking a further exemplary, punitive £2.5m, part of which will be donated to charitable organisations helping to prevent negative prejudice in the workplace."
McCririck said he was being represented on a no-win no-fee basis by employment and sports law specialist solicitor Stephen Beverley, of the London West End Cavendish Legal Group.
McCririck said his solicitor had served papers on the executives he says are responsible for his sacking. He alleged they are Channel 4's chief executive David Abraham, the broadcaster's creative officer Jay Hunt, sports editor Jamie Aitchison and Carl Hicks, executive producer of IMG Sports Media.
He said: "Mr Beverley is insisting on full disclosure of all documents, phone records and emails up to the present day that led to, and followed, my dismissal. My legal team will also be calling past and present Channel 4 Racing presenters and production staff, media executives, journalists and others to be cross-examined in public by my QC, who is also acting no-win no-fee."
McCririck said he would drop the legal action if he is "fully" reinstated, receives an apology and all his costs are met.
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