Gabby Logan has opened up about the deeply moving final conversation she shared with her father, Terry Yorath, five months after his passing. The Match of the Day presenter was live on air when she learned of the 75-year-old's death, but despite his illness, she had expected him to return home from hospital.
A Meaningful Visit
Speaking on a new podcast, Logan described feeling 'privileged' to have had such a significant exchange with her father shortly before he died. A few days prior to his death, she received an email from someone who had encountered Yorath during his playing days. 'He told this story about a kindness that my dad had done for him when he was a little boy,' she told Hello! magazine's Second Act podcast. 'My dad was playing for Leeds United and he'd given him some kit.'
Logan visited her father in hospital on her way to present Match of the Day. During the visit, they discussed funeral arrangements, knowing his condition was terminal but expecting more time. 'Just the two of us in the room, and we started talking about the music, and things like that, and I said, "I want to read something to you, this really amazing email came through,"' she recalled.
An Emotional Reading
Logan read the email aloud, and both were moved to tears. 'I said, "I'm sure, in the next few months" - meaning when you're gone - "I'll hear loads more stories like that. And I get to tell you this now." He died that night. I went off to do Match of the Day, fully expecting him to go home on the Friday.'
Yorath had been so confident of returning home that they discussed his Friday evening meal—calves liver, with a debate over mashed or roast potatoes. 'I'd sat and had that really incredible conversation with him,' Logan continued. 'What a privilege to be able to do that, and give him that confidence, and say, "look this is what people are going to say about you."'
Tribute on Social Media
Logan had previously shared a touching tribute on social media, thanking her father for instilling values of fairness, a love of sport, and a wicked sense of humour. She also acknowledged the pain he carried, including the tragic death of her brother Daniel at age 15.
Following Yorath's death, an outpouring of tributes included a controversial post from former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys, who claimed credit for getting Logan a job at Sky. TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods led criticism of Keys, calling his remarks inappropriate.
