Sports broadcaster Laura Woods has publicly condemned former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys following a controversial social media tribute he paid to the late football legend Terry Yorath.
A Tribute That Sparked Outrage
The death of Leeds and Wales icon Terry Yorath was announced on Thursday following a short illness. His daughter, renowned broadcaster Gabby Logan, left her duties on BBC's Match of the Day mid-broadcast on Wednesday night to rush to his side.
In response, Richard Keys, the 68-year-old former Sky host now working for beIN Sports in the Middle East, posted a message on X. He wrote: '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.'
The post was widely interpreted as a dig at Gabby Logan, referencing the pair's long-standing and very public feud.
Swift Backlash from Broadcasting Peers
Laura Woods was among the first to respond, posting bluntly: 'Sorry…but what a t**t. Said with zero surprise.' She later added a message of support for Logan and her family, stating: '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 colleague Dan Walker also intervened, directly replying to Keys. He urged: '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.'
The Roots of a Bitter Feud
The animosity between Keys and Logan escalated significantly in 2022 following allegations published in Logan's memoir. She accused Keys and his broadcast partner Andy Gray of making inappropriate comments about pregnant women directly in her earshot while she was expecting twins in 2005.
Logan wrote that the pair conducted a 'little "comedy" routine' about the topic, leaving her feeling embarrassed and noting they were 'dinosaurs, waiting to become extinct.' She also referenced Keys' 2011 departure from Sky Sports over misogynistic remarks about lineswoman Sian Massey.
At the time, Keys vehemently denied the claims, labelling them 'wildly inaccurate' and 'nonsense'. He vowed to take libel action, referring the matter to his lawyers, and countered that he had been instrumental in helping Logan's early career.
The latest exchange, framed within a tribute to her late father, has reignited the controversy, drawing sharp criticism from within the sports media industry and highlighting the unresolved tensions between the figures involved.
