Gabby Logan leaves Match of the Day mid-show as father Terry Yorath dies

Presenter Gabby Logan had to leave Wednesday night’s live Match of the Day partway through the programme because of a “family emergency”.

Mark Chapman took over at short notice and the show, filmed at dock10 in MediaCity, carried on. On Thursday morning it was confirmed that Logan’s father, former Leeds United and Wales footballer Terry Yorath, had died aged 75 after a short illness.

In a statement on behalf of the family, his children said: “To most he was a revered footballing hero, but to us he was Dad; a quiet, kind and gentle man. Our hearts are broken but we take comfort knowing that he will be reunited with our brother, Daniel.”

Chapman had been presenting on BBC Radio 5 Live in the same MediaCity complex and was brought in about 20 minutes into the show. He told viewers: “So we’ll talk about that game in a moment. Sadly Gabby has got a family emergency that she’s had to rush off and deal with. So she’s gone to do that and I’ve come from the radio to finish the show.”

Logan had opened the programme with pundits Danny Murphy and Stephen Warnock, covering Bournemouth’s 3–2 win against Tottenham and introducing Manchester City’s 1–1 draw with Brighton, before leaving the studio.

Viewers soon praised Chapman’s composed takeover on social media and sent messages of support to Logan, with many noting how unusual it is for presenters to change mid-programme on the long-running show.

Yorath had a distinguished playing career, above all at Leeds United, and also played for Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, Vancouver Whitecaps and Bradford City.

Logan, 52, has spoken in the past about family loss, including the death of her younger brother Daniel at 15, and more recently about supporting her husband Kenny Logan through treatment for prostate cancer.

The BBC has made no further comment.