Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys had to take to social media to address his remarks regarding Gabby Logan made in his tribute to her late father, Leeds United legend Terry Yorath
10:24, 09 Jan 2026Updated 10:25, 09 Jan 2026
Richard Keys had to clarify his initial post(Image: )
Richard Keys has attempted to clarify his Gabby Logan comment on social media after coming under fire, claiming he was ‘misinterpreted’ while paying tribute to her late father Terry Yorath. The Welsh football icon and Leeds United legend passed away at the age of 75 and was confirmed to have died on Thursday morning following a short illness.
Keys, who yesterday posted on X (formerly Twitter) in response to Yorath’s death, initially 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.”
READ MORE: Terry Yorath enjoyed incredible highs and tragic lows as tributes paid to football iconREAD MORE: Gabby Logan issues heartbreaking tribute after sudden death of dad Terry Yorath
Sports presenter Laura Woods was one of the first to question Keys’ insensitive tribute, responding: “Sorry… but what a t**t. Said with zero surprise.
“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 Sport presenter Dan Walker also asked Keys to change his tribute: “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.”
Laura Woods was not impressed with Richard Keys’ post(Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
The comments around Logan’s career did not go down well, and it’s not the first time he has claimed to have got Gabby her first job in sports media.
Logan joined Sky Sports in 1996 and spent two years there before her move to ITV. And Keys’ latest remarks sum up their long-term feud. In her memoir published in 2022, she made a series of accusations against her former colleague, calling him a “cruel dinosaur.” This prompted a 1000-word response from Keys on social media, slamming her and her “smears.”
The 68-year-old has also previously called her a “handful” and claimed she “p****d everybody off at Sky” to the point of being let go.
Later on Thursday, Keys took to X to clarify his initial words. “What a shame my words for a footballing hero of mine were entirely misinterpreted,” he wrote.
“Terry Yorath was a fabulous guy. A warrior. My affection for him meant I was more than happy to help him & his family in any way I could. Gabby’s career would make any father proud. RIP Terry.”
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Gabby had been forced to step away from presenting Match of the Day during Wednesday night’s live broadcast, with Mark Chapman rushing over from the radio studio at the BBC’s Manchester headquarters in Salford Quays to take her place.
The family released a joint statement following the announcement of his death on Thursday, which read: “To most he was a revered footballing hero, but to us he was Dad; a quiet, kind and gentle man. Our hearts are broken but we take comfort knowing that he will be reunited with our brother, Daniel.”
Gabby then offered her own personal tribute on social media. “Rest in Peace Dad, our hearts are broken, your love and legacy lives on,” she shared.
A lengthier post followed from Gabby, as she put: “Thank you for your messages of love and support today, it has meant the world to us. Our Dad a warrior on the football pitch, captaining club and country, a kind hearted and generous man off it, would have hated all the attention. (Well most of it).
“The stories that have been shared by strangers with us today have been enormously comforting. He touched so many people’s lives.
Gabby Logan with her dad Terry Yorath(Image: EMPICS Sport)
“We knew he had limited time, but it is still a shock. Yesterday afternoon I sat by his bed in St James Hospital Leeds and we had a debate about whether roast potatoes were better with calves liver than mash potatoes. That was the meal he’d decided he wanted when he went home, tomorrow. I left and went to work, he was looking forward to watching Newcastle v his beloved Leeds. He won’t go home tomorrow. But he is reunited with Daniel and that will feel like home.
“I am sorry he had to deal with so much pain, the tragedy of the Bradford Fire was forever in his heart and losing Daniel defined the second half of his life.
“Thank you Dad for instilling your passion for fairness. Thank you for playing rounders, or making us race each other after dinner, even though Louise always beat me. Thank you for not making me pay you $1,865,986 after I kept losing at cards on double or quits, when I was 8 years old. Thanks for teaching me the value of money by challenging me to eat a pot of mustard at dinner in return for £5 so I could buy a pair of shoes I wanted when I was 12 (even though mum was horrified). Thank you for giving me a life long love of sport. Thank you for being a relentless tease with a wicked sense of humour.
“And to the wonderful staff on J16 at Jimmys who cared for him with such tenderness, you are all Angels.I love you Dad.”
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