Presenter Gabby Logan is set to return to her hosting duties on Match of the Day marking her first show since the passing of her father Terry Yorath
Gabby Logan is poised to present Match of the Day for the first time following the passing of her father Terry Yorath. Logan made her return to broadcasting duties earlier in January to front Champions League coverage.
The 52-year-old was among three presenters selected to helm the popular BBC programme following Gary Lineker's exit. Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman divide the presenting responsibilities between them.
On January 7, Logan was anchoring the show when she took a phone call and had to depart suddenly, with Chapman taking over. The next morning brought the tragic news that her father, ex-Leeds United and Wales midfielder Yorath, had died aged 75.
Following a compassionate hiatus, Logan made her TV comeback on January 20, hosting Amazon Prime's coverage of Arsenal's Champions League encounter with Inter Milan. Now it seems she's ready to resume her Match of the Day duties.
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As per the BBC website's programme listing, Logan is scheduled to front the highlights show on January 31, showcasing the pick of Saturday's Premier League action. These fixtures include Leeds vs Arsenal, Chelsea vs West Ham and Brighton vs Everton.
This marks Logan's first time at the helm of the programme since her father's death. Yorath was laid to rest on January 26 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Leeds.
Following her TV return earlier in January, Logan confessed to feeling apprehensive about getting back to her regular role, as her previous appearance had occurred just before receiving devastating news about her ailing father. Logan was whisked off air with a "family emergency" cited as the initial explanation.
On her The Sports Agents podcast with co-host Chapman, Logan candidly discussed her feelings after the Champions League match. She revealed: "Got back in the saddle last night at San Siro.
"I won't pretend it was easy. The last time I was presenting a football show I received a phone call that has rocked our world. So there were unfamiliar nerves and a bit of trepidation travelling to Milan.
"But the football family are so lovely and it was, in the end, great to be back doing what I love so much and of course Arsenal gave us a great story to tell.
"In the two weeks since Dad's passing, football really has been a force for good in our lives. The community is strong and really shows up when it needs to and we won't ever forget that."
The day following her father's death, Logan posted a touching tribute. She wrote: "We knew he had limited time, but it is still a shock. Yesterday afternoon (Wednesday January 7) 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 mashed potatoes.
"That was the meal he'd decided he wanted when he went home tomorrow (Friday January 9). 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 (Logan's brother who died aged 15) and that will feel like home."