BBC presenter Gabby Logan has revealed she was subjected to days of online abuse, including death threats, after referring to Catherine, Princess of Wales, as "Kate Middleton" during a sports broadcast. Speaking on The Sports Agents podcast alongside fellow BBC presenters Mark Chapman and Nedum Onuoha, Logan discussed the challenges of identifying celebrities shown on screen during live sporting events.
The incident at the rugby match
Chapman admitted there have been occasions when producers have cut to famous faces in the crowd during broadcasts, only for him to have no idea who they were. "Occasionally on some live games that I've done, when you do the build-up and they've then cut to someone in the crowd, I've looked at it and thought, I've absolutely no idea," he said. "Then they'll tell me in my ear who it is, and I'm thinking, I still have absolutely no idea who that is. I can't mention it in case I pronounce it wrong or, heaven forbid, look out of touch."
Logan agreed, saying she dislikes being shown celebrities she does not recognise without any explanation. "I hate them doing that and not knowing, though, don't you?" she said. "I then kind of want to know why we're cutting to this person. If I don't know who they are, please tell me."
Recalling one particular incident at a rugby match, Logan said she recognised the royal guest but referred to her by her maiden name. "It was Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales, but I didn't call her that," she explained. "I said, 'Oh, Kate Middleton is in the house'."
Wave of online abuse
Logan said the remark prompted a wave of criticism online, particularly from users based in the United States. "Can I tell you how many days of abuse I got from mainly American-based accounts telling me that basically I needed to be beheaded because I was anti-Royal," she said. "I 'didn't realise how incredible this woman was'. I mean, she has got a loyal fan base."
The Princess of Wales has become a familiar face at major sporting events over the years. She is a regular attendee at Wimbledon and famously missed Andy Murray's historic 2013 victory because she was heavily pregnant with Prince George. Speaking to former BBC presenter Sue Barker in the documentary Our Wimbledon, Catherine said she had been disappointed not to attend. "I was very heavily pregnant with George so I wasn't able to turn up," she said. "I know, but even still," she added. "I was sort of, 'Maybe I could go', but the doctors were like 'no'. I wrote to Andy afterwards saying sorry for not being there, but huge congratulations."
Celebrities at the 2026 World Cup
Logan's comments came as she, Chapman and Onuoha discussed the growing number of celebrities attending matches at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Among those spotted in the stands during the tournament are actors Salma Hayek, Tom Cruise and Owen Wilson, Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds, musicians Jay-Z and Travis Scott, and former NFL quarterback Tom Brady.
