Sports broadcaster Dan Walker has publicly called out fellow presenter Richard Keys for what has been branded an 'awful' tribute following the death of football legend Terry Yorath. The former Wales and Leeds United icon passed away aged 75 on Thursday morning after a short illness.
A Tribute That Missed The Mark
Yorath's daughter, the respected BBC presenter Gabby Logan, was hosting Match of the Day on Wednesday night when she was replaced by Mark Chapman due to the family emergency. As condolences poured in from across the football world, beIN SPORTS pundit Richard Keys posted his message on X, formerly Twitter.
Keys 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.'
Immediate Backlash from Colleagues
The post quickly drew criticism for its focus on Keys' own role in Logan's career during a time of personal grief. Dan Walker, the former BBC Sport host, led the response by directly addressing Keys on the platform.
'Richard, just imagine what it would be like for Gabby, or a member of her family, to read this,' Walker responded. '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.'
Prominent sports presenter Laura Woods also voiced her dismay, bluntly stating: 'Sorry…but what a t**t. Said with zero surprise.' She later added her own compassionate message to Logan and her family.
History of Feud Adds Context
The incident is not an isolated one in the strained history between the two broadcasters. In her 2022 memoir, Gabby Logan labelled Keys a 'cruel dinosaur,' prompting a lengthy, defensive rebuttal from him on social media.
Keys, 68, has previously claimed Logan was a 'handful' who 'p****d everybody off at Sky' leading to her departure. His latest comments, made in the immediate aftermath of her father's death, have sparked widespread condemnation online for their poor timing and perceived self-aggrandisement.
The backlash underscores the sensitive nature of public tributes and the intense scrutiny facing high-profile figures in sports media, especially when past grievances resurface at moments of personal tragedy.
