Gabby Logan

Gabby Logan didn’t race cars—she bankrolled one of the most promising young women trying to break into Formula 1, proving that sometimes the most important move happens off the track.

EARLY YEARS

Born Gabrielle Nicole Yorath on April 24, 1973, in Leeds, England, Logan grew up in a household where sport wasn’t just encouraged—it was oxygen. Her father, Terry Yorath, was a Welsh football legend who played for Leeds United and managed the Welsh national team. From an early age, Logan was steeped in the discipline and dedication required to compete at elite levels, though her arena would be the gymnastics floor, not the football pitch.

She trained rigorously in rhythmic gymnastics, rising through the ranks to represent both Wales and Great Britain. By 16, gymnastics had consumed her life—training, competing, and chasing perfection with single-minded focus. She also played netball at school and university and competed in the high jump, but rhythmic gymnastics was her passion. At 17, sciatica forced her to retire from the sport, ending what could have been a longer competitive career. It was a devastating blow, but Logan pivoted with the kind of grit that would later define her broadcasting career. She went on to study law at Durham University, where she continued playing netball and became a devoted Newcastle United supporter—a fandom sparked by a boyfriend who dragged her to matches.

Tragedy struck the Yorath family when Logan’s younger brother, Daniel, collapsed and died suddenly in the garden while playing football with their father and another brother, Jordan. The loss shaped Logan profoundly, threading through her life and work in ways both visible and invisible. It’s a grief she’s spoken about with raw honesty, particularly in her memoir The First Half, which readers have described as emotionally exhausting but deeply moving.

OTHER INTERESTS

Logan is a prolific writer and podcaster who has carved out space to talk about the stuff that matters—midlife, menopause, resilience, and the unglamorous realities of aging as a woman in the public eye. Her podcast, The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan, dives into conversations about perimenopause, brain fog, sleep, and navigating middle age with curiosity and candor. It was nominated at the British Podcast Awards, and she followed it up with a book, The Midpoint Plan, slated for release in June 2025.

She’s also written columns for The Times, The Independent, The Guardian, Glamour, and Stylist, bringing her sharp, conversational voice to topics far beyond the sports field. Logan runs, plays golf, and has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing (she and partner James Jordan were eliminated after the judges’ vote). She’s a patron of Newcastle United Foundation and the children’s charity Sparks, which she and her husband, retired Scottish rugby player Kenny Logan, have long supported. The couple married in 2001 and have 18-year-old twins, Lois and Reuben. Reuben is now a professional rugby union player for Sale Sharks, continuing the family’s athletic legacy.

EARLY SUCCESS

Logan represented Wales in rhythmic gymnastics at the 1990 Commonwealth Games, a moment she has since reflected on with a mix of pride and one notable regret—she wishes she’d soaked up the experience more fully instead of being consumed by nerves and self-criticism. Competing on that stage as a teenager was a defining achievement, even if she didn’t fully appreciate it at the time.

After retiring from gymnastics at 17, she made a sharp career turn. Logan began her broadcasting career in radio in 1992, quickly proving she had the voice, the instincts, and the spine to thrive in a male-dominated industry. By 1996, she’d joined Sky Sports, where she climbed the ranks with a speed that suggested she wasn’t just good—she was undeniable. Logan became one of the most recognizable faces in British sports broadcasting, hosting major events and establishing herself as someone who could command a live broadcast with ease and authority.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 1990: Competed in rhythmic gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games, representing Wales.
• 1992: Began broadcasting career in radio.
• 1996: Joined Sky Sports, becoming one of the network’s leading presenters.
• 2001: Married Scottish rugby international Kenny Logan.
• 2007: Competed on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
• Multiple years: Won Sports Presenter of the Year four times.
• Ongoing: Regular presenter for BBC Sport, including Final Score and co-hosting Sports Personality of the Year; also presents for Amazon Prime Video’s sports coverage.
• Ongoing: Host of The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan podcast, nominated at the British Podcast Awards.
• 2022: Author of memoir The First Half.
• 2024: Provided financial backing to 18-year-old F1 hopeful Rachel Robertson, funding a £15,000 grant to support her racing career.
• 2025: BBC confirmed Logan as one of three hosts sharing the Match of the Day presenter role.
• 2026: Awarded OBE in the New Year Honours for services to broadcasting and charity.

INSPIRATIONS

Logan’s father, Terry Yorath, was a towering figure in her life—both as a footballing icon and as a parent who modeled resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. The death of her brother Daniel profoundly shaped her worldview, instilling a determination to lead by example and to champion causes that matter. She’s spoken often about the importance of participation in sport—not just for winning, but for confidence, wellbeing, and life lessons that extend far beyond the field.

Her decision to financially back young F1 driver Rachel Robertson reflects a philosophy Logan has articulated repeatedly: she wants to lead with her values and support the next generation of women in sport. It’s not flashy, but it’s meaningful—and it’s exactly the kind of quiet power move that gets results.

REPUTATION

Logan is widely respected as one of the most accomplished and versatile broadcasters in British sports media. She’s known for her professionalism, her ability to handle live television with unflappable calm, and her willingness to speak candidly about topics many public figures avoid—grief, aging, menopause, and the realities of being a woman in a field that wasn’t built for her. Readers and listeners trust her because she doesn’t deal in fluff; she’s thoughtful, grounded, and unafraid to challenge the status quo.

Her role as a patron of multiple charities, combined with her public support for emerging talent like Rachel Robertson, has cemented her reputation as someone who uses her platform for good. She’s not just talking about change—she’s funding it.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Logan’s The Midpoint Plan is set for release in June 2025, continuing her mission to create space for honest conversations about midlife. She’ll continue her role as one of the three hosts of BBC’s Match of the Day, sharing presenting duties for the first time in the show’s history—a landmark shift in British sports broadcasting. And if her support of Rachel Robertson is any indication, she’ll likely continue using her influence to open doors for the next generation of women in sport, whether they’re on the track, the pitch, or behind the microphone.

REFERENCES

BBC Sport pundit funds promising F1 bid – GPFans.com
Gabby Logan – Chartwell Speakers Bureau
Gabby Logan – Wikipedia
Gabby Logan interview: “I never wanted to be famous…” – Big Issue
Gabby Logan’s private life off-screen with famous husband – Hello Magazine
Gabby Logan’s horror over sudden death of teenage brother – Entertainment Daily
Terry Yorath, Wales & Leeds legend, Gabby Logan’s dad, dies aged 75 – ESPN
Exclusive: Gabby Logan opens up on Commonwealth Games “regret” – Sports Mole
The First Half by Gabby Logan – Goodreads
The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan – Spotify
Student makes stunning F1 Academy debut in Las Vegas – Wiltshire College
Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman named as Match of the Day presenters – YouTube
New Year Honours List 2026: Every sportsperson named – and why – ESPN
Gabby Logan becomes Foundation patron – Newcastle United
Reuben Logan – Wikipedia