Inside Gabby Logan and Richard Keys' long-running feud after dad tribute and 'cruel' comments - The Mirror

Richard Keys and Gabby Logan have a chequered history that resurfaced this week following the death of her father, Terry Yorath

Richard Keys caused a storm with his comments over the death of Gabby Logan's father Terry Yorath this week. However, this isn't the first time there's been controversy between Logan and Keys.

Keys' tribute to Yorath was deemed by some to be bordering on crass. The Welsh football icon and Leeds United legend passed away at the age of 75 and was confirmed to have died on Thursday morning following a short illness.

In response to Yorath's death, Keys initially wrote on X: "Sad to hear the news of Terry Yorath's passing. He was a warrior & won fans over wherever he played. He was great for us at Coventry & the reason I got Gabby a job at Sky. I had no idea who she was when we met, but I knew her dad. RIP Terry. Your daughter did you proud."

Many felt the BeIN Sports broadcaster's offering was insensitive. Yet the former Sky Sports' anchor's post is just the latest in a fractious relationship with Match of the Day presenter Logan.

Laura Woods hits out

Sports broadcaster Laura Woods was one of the first to question Keys' bizarre tribute to Yorath. The TNT Sports presenter responded: "Sorry… but what a t**t. Said with zero surprise."

She added: "Also want to add my respects to the thousands of others who are showing theirs compassionately to a much beloved broadcaster and her family. Sending all my love x."

Former BBC Sport presenter Dan Walker also asked Keys to change his tribute. He posted: "Richard, just imagine what it would be like for Gabby, or a member of her family, to read this. I'm hoping you have just worded this badly and it isn't a dig at a really difficult time. There is still time to change it."

Keys later addressed his comments on X, writing: "What a shame my words for a footballing hero of mine were entirely misinterpreted. Terry Yorath was a fabulous guy. A warrior. My affection for him meant I was more than happy to help him & his family in any way I could. Gabby’s career would make any father proud. RIP Terry."

Libel action

Back in 2022, Keys threatened to take “libel action” against Logan after she wrote about an encounter with him and former Sky Sports pundit Andy Gray in her memoir, ‘The First Half’.

Logan joined Sky Sports in 1996 and was part of the company for two years before she moved to ITV. Logan claimed Keys and Gray made “cruel” comments around her during a flight in 2005.

She wrote: “Even years after I’d left Sky, it appeared I was still fair game for Gray and Keys. I sat a row behind them on a flight to Istanbul for the Champions League Final in 2005, which I was covering for ITV. I was seven months pregnant with twins, and I was huge. I looked like I’d swallowed a space hopper.

“In full earshot of me – and anyone who might be listening in our business-class cabin – Richard said: ‘So, Andy, what do you think of pregnant women?’ I was embarrassed, of course, and thought their comments were especially cruel, bearing in mind they both had children and wives of their own.

"Luckily, by that time I had been working with lovely men such as Ally McCoist and Andy Townsend at ITV, who were kind and caring, always asked after my wellbeing, and seemed genuinely excited for me about the babies. Keys and Gray were dinosaurs, waiting to become extinct.”

In response to these comments, Keys posted on X, formerly Twitter: “With reference to an article published by The Mail on Sunday written by Ms Gabby Logan. Ms Logan has made a number of wildly inaccurate allegations in the process of defaming my reputation. I have referred the matter to lawyers with a view to proceeding with libel action.”

Keys blasts Match of the Day

Shortly after a three-person presenting team of Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates was announced as the replacement for Gary Lineker on Match of the Day last year, Keys hit out at Logan.

Writing on his blog, he said: “Gabby Logan is someone else I opened the door for. I did that because her dad had played for Coventry and I was a big fan! She’s good – but a handful.

“Sadly she p***** everybody off at Sky with her demanding attitude and my gaffer then – Vic Wakeling – let her go after two years. I’m told by people that work with her now nothing has changed. Oh well – one day maybe.”

He also claimed the iconic highlights show was operating on borrowed time, adding: “MotD desperately needs fresh blood, but I’m not sure it will survive for very much longer. Eventually Grandstand died for similar reasons – the march of time.”

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