A senior TV producer suggested John McCririck should be dropped from the revamped Channel 4 racing line-up, claiming that his "pantomime" presenting was a distraction, an employment tribunal has heard.

Carl Hicks, the IMG production company's executive producer of Channel 4 Racing, said he never felt that Mr McCririck would be the betting reporter.

He rated Mr McCririck as being in the "Premier League" of racing presenters and as the pioneer racing expert to broadcast from the betting ring, but said there was no room for him in the new line-up.

Mr Hicks, who was involved in trying to create an on-screen dream team of presenters, told the central London hearing: "He was not appropriate and there was not an appropriate role for him."

Mr McCririck's image was potentially damaged by his high-profile appearances in reality shows and his brash manner, Mr Hicks said.

He also told the hearing that Mr McCririck had a habit of calling presenter Nick Luck "which was not complimentary" and referring to colleague Tanya Stephenson as "the female, which was disparaging to her".

Mr McCririck, 73, is accusing his former employers of age discrimination. Channel 4 and IMG Media deny the claims.

The hearing continues.