Media watchdog Ofcom may investigate after more than 2,000 people complained about a BBC presenter making fun of a jockey's teeth.

Racing pundit Clare Balding made the gaffe when interviewing Arundel jockey Liam Treadwell after his momentous Grand National win on Saturday.

On his first attempt at the famous steeplechase, the 23-year-old romped home in first place on 100-1 outsider Mon Mome.

But in her post-race interview, Balding seemed more intent on asking the jockey about his teeth than his success and told him he could now afford to “get them done”.

The presenter urged Liam: “Just give us a big grin to the camera.”

When he smiled, keeping his lips firmly closed, she laughed and said: “No, no, let’s see your teeth.

“He hasn’t got the best teeth in the world, but you can afford to go and get them done now if you like.”

Stunned Liam looked embarrassed but remained composed and replied: “Well I could do, but I ain’t complaining.”

Realising her blunder the presenter texted an apology to him and later spoke with him in person.

The BBC also issued a formal apology.

Liam's mother Lorraine said she was shocked at the presenter's comments.

She said: “If I am totally honest, when I saw the interview live I was a bit shocked. Then I thought to myself, I don’t care, Liam has just won the Grand National, that’s all I care about.”

So far the BBC has received 1,962 complaints about the remark and Ofcom has received 39.

The media regulator said it will assess the complaints to see whether an investigation into whether the corporation has broken the broadcasting code was necessary.

Meanwhile Liam, who shrugged off the incident, was back in the winner's enclosure for the first time since his Grand National heroics.

He had returned to racing on Tuesday at his home course in Fontwell, pulling out of one race when his horse got injured and coming second in another.

Liam returned to a hero's welcome at John Dunlop's Castle Stables in Arundel where his parents work and the following day went on to win at Hereford.

He said: “It's been a fantastic few days for me. It's good to keep my feet firmly on the ground.

“I've not had a bad time of it, by any means - I've been fairly lucky.

“Hopefully it is a nice grounding for a long career. That'll do for me.”