Celebrity Interview: Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
21st October 2015
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE is one of the most successful disabled athletes in the UK. In her Paralympic career she won 16 medals (11 gold, four silver and a bronze) over five Paralympic Games and 13 World Championship medals (six gold, five silver and two bronze).
She held over 30 world records, was the first woman in the world to break one minute for the 400m and won the London Marathon six times between 1992 and 2002.
Since her retirement, Tanni has continued to be involved in sport. She is a director of UK Athletics and a member of the board of the London Marathon. One of the greatest Paralympians in history is now a crossbench peer in the House of Lords when in 2010, she was created a Life Peer and given the title, Baroness Grey-Thompson of Eaglescliffe in the County of Durham.
Glass of Bubbly Interview
Where’s the most memorable place you’ve enjoyed a Glass of Bubbly?
Probably one of the nicest places I have drunk Champagne was in Sydney in 2000 when I won four gold medals at the Paralympics. I was with my sister and her husband and a group of close friends. I had just finished the 400m and we were in the Olympic park area. It was beautiful weather outside and lovely and warm and because I had been competing became a little giggly on about half a glass.
In 1992 I won the Sunday Times Sports woman of the year awards and part of the prize was a Balthazar of Moët & Chandon. We saved it for our wedding reception. I used to tease my father that I was going to have a BBQ and put chopped fruit in to it to make a punch… He was horrified.
Which is your favourite Champagne or sparkling wine?
I like Veuve Clicquot Rosé. If I could pick anything it would be something on the sweeter side, but most of my friends would prefer brut. Something like a Moscato is nice.
What does Champagne mean to you?
A: Success
B: Celebration
C: Romance
D: Enjoying great company
Champagne is definitely about celebration… There is something special about opening a bottle of Champagne.
Glass of Bubbly
Executive editor of news content for the website Please enjoy the articles that we share - We hope you find our love for Champagne & Sparkling Wines both interesting and educational.