Gabby Logan has disclosed a DM conversation she had with Michael Bublé following the unexpected backlash surrounding her coverage of the singer's performance at the World Cup opening ceremony. Canadian artist Bublé was among the headline acts at his nation's opening ceremony, with all three host countries presenting homegrown talent. He took to the stage before his compatriots' opening match, which Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Logan's Explanation
Speaking on The Sports Agents podcast, Logan said the BBC will only air complete opening ceremonies on iPlayer while concentrating their live broadcast on the football action, mentioning that the approach isn't a new addition for the 2026 tournament. Yet this did not prevent some viewers from claiming the broadcaster had 'ruined' Bublé's performance after Logan and her panel talked over it. She revealed this generated substantial criticism from admirers of the 50-year-old.
The broadcaster acknowledged their entitlement to their view and chose not to respond, but matters shifted when Bublé himself intervened.
Bublé's Social Media Post
"The next day, Michael Bublé himself, on his personal account to 4.4million people, puts up one of these posts and it's us in the studio talking over him," Logan stated. "He just left it there, so I replied to him, sent him a DM and said 'really sorry, we did actually put your whole thing up on iPlayer... and I hope you didn't treat it as a mark of disrespect'."
"Then he sent back a really long, considered message to me, telling me that it's a shame in this age that people just look for the humour in something first. It was a fair point and I came back and said mea culpa, I never broadcast for clicks and likes but maybe I did intentionally lead my pundits somewhere where I felt there would be a bit of humour."
Resolution and Friendship
"Then he came back and he said 'Look Gabby, I appreciate you coming back to me, the BBC have always been so supportive of me, please come to a gig - I'm going to be in the UK soon'. So I went from feeling like I was going to have the wrath of Bubles on my back for the rest of my life to feeling like we might be mates."
Canada's World Cup Journey
Following Bublé's introduction at BMO Field, Canada secured their maiden World Cup point. Jovo Lukic nodded Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead before the interval, but substitute Cyle Larin emerged from the bench to restore parity. Jesse Marsch's co-hosts face 2022 hosts Qatar next. Julen Lopetegui's team also drew 1-1 in their opening fixture, snatching a dramatic late equaliser against Switzerland in California.
