5 things you may not know about ITV's new racing anchor Ed Chamberlin

Former Sky Sports man Ed Chamberlin will lead a new era of televised racing from New Year's Day as the head of ITV Racing. Press Association Sport highlights five things you may not know about him: 1. Chamberlin is no racing novice. Before becoming a familiar face on our TV screens, he worked for Ladbrokes as an odds compiler on racing and cricket. Whether the degree in politics he gained at Exeter University came in handy in that role is open to debate. 2. Born in Somerset, he is a huge Southampton fan so will no doubt be very keen to interview Saints legend Mick Channon, who is now a very successful trainer.3. He is close friends with the great Sir Anthony McCoy. Speaking after AP's retirement, Chamberlin said: "You do miss the McCoy winners. Wichita Lineman at the Cheltenham Festival was the greatest I have ever seen, full stop."4. Chamberlin is an ambassador for Cheltenham-based charity WellChild, whose vision is for all seriously ill children and young people in the UK to have the best quality of care - whatever their diagnosis, situation or location.5. Chamberlin was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2009 before making a full recovery. Speaking in 2013, he said: "There isn't a day go by when I don't think back to my illness and remind myself just how fortunate I am."