Gabby Logan Issues Playful Request to Prince William After OBE Delay
BBC presenter and former gymnast Gabby Logan has humorously called for a change ahead of her upcoming OBE ceremony. She has already been awarded an MBE for her services to broadcasting and is set to become the BBC's first female World Cup anchor during coverage of the tournament in the USA.
Postponement Due to World Cup Commitments
Gabby revealed that she had to postpone receiving the OBE twice due to prior engagements. The prestigious honour was awarded to her in the 2026 New Year's Honours list for her services to broadcasting. She explained to Hello! magazine: "Unfortunately, the date they sent me was the date of my first match in the World Cup, so I obviously had to turn that one down. We've agreed that I'll go in the autumn at some point."
A Change of Presenter?
When asked who she would like to present the honour, Gabby quipped: "I had Prince William last time, so a change would be nice. If it's him, it's fine." Prince William, now the Prince of Wales, awarded her the MBE six years ago.
Women in Sports Broadcasting
Gabby also reflected on the changing landscape for women in sports broadcasting. She told the Mirror: "Sports TV generally is definitely a much more inclusive-looking place to work. It has definitely changed, but society still has problems in the way women are treated. The political landscape has shown that even in the last week." She added that football coverage can showcase the power of men and women working together and provide role models for younger generations.
Defending BBC's World Cup Coverage
Gabby addressed criticism over the BBC's decision to broadcast most of the World Cup from the UK rather than the USA. She pointed to financial and environmental benefits, stating: "I think there are many, many good reasons why you would stay in one place in the UK, in terms of sustainability of the event. It doesn't cost as much – we have to think about that, and the belt is being tightened all the time with the licence fee." She noted that the BBC's coverage has been award-winning, including a recent BAFTA, and that staying in the UK has not harmed the quality.
