Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys had to take to social media to address comments he made about Gabby Logan in tribute to his late father, Leeds United legend Terry Yorath.
Richard Keyes should have clarified his first post (Image: )
Richard Keys attempted to clarify Gabby Logan’s comments on social media after coming under fire, claiming he was “misunderstood” when he paid tribute to his late father Terry Yorath. The Welsh football icon and Leeds United legend has died at the age of 75, it was confirmed on Thursday morning after a short illness.
Posting yesterday on X (formerly Twitter) following Yorath’s death, Keys initially said, “Sad to hear of Terry Yorath’s passing. He was a warrior and captivated fans wherever he played.
“He was fantastic for us at Coventry and was the reason I gave Gabby the job at Sky. I didn’t know who she was when we met, but her father did. Rest in peace Terry. Your daughter has made you proud.”
read more: Terry Yorath paid tribute to a football icon and enjoyed incredible highs and tragic lows.read more: Gabby Logan shares heartbreaking condolence after father Terry Yorath’s sudden death
Sports presenter Laura Woods was one of the first to question Keyes’ insensitive compliment, saying, “I’m sorry…but what the heck,” she said, unsurprised.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the thousands of others who have shown their compassion to the much-loved broadcaster and his family. Sending all our love.”
Former BBC Sport presenter Dan Walker also called on Keyes to change his eulogy: “Richard, imagine what would happen if Gabby and her family read this.
“I hope you just said this in a terrible way and it’s not terrible at a really difficult time. There’s still time to change that.”
Laura Woods wasn’t impressed by Richard Keys’ post (Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
While the comments regarding Logan’s career weren’t great, this isn’t the first time Logan has claimed to have given Gabby her first job in sports media.
Logan joined Sky Sports in 1996 and spent two years there before moving to ITV. And Keys’ latest statement sums up their long-standing feud. In a memoir published in 2022, she made a series of accusations against her former colleagues, calling them “cruel dinosaurs.” In response, Keyes issued a 1,000-word response on social media, slamming her and her “slander.”
The 68-year-old has previously called her a “handful” and claimed he “kicked everyone off at Sky” to the point where she was made redundant.
Later on Thursday, Keyes approached X to clarify his initial words. “It is unfortunate that my words to my footballing hero have been completely misunderstood,” he wrote.
“Terry Yoras was an amazing man. A warrior. My love for him meant I was willing to help him and his family in any way I could. Gabby’s career would make any father proud. Rest in peace Terry.”
Gabby was forced to step down as host of Match of the Day live on Wednesday night, with Mark Chapman rushing in to replace her from the radio studios at the BBC’s Manchester headquarters in Salford Quays.
Following Thursday’s news of his death, his family issued a joint statement saying: “To many he was a revered football hero, but to us he was a quiet, kind and gentle father. Our hearts are broken but we take comfort in knowing he will be reunited with his brother Daniel.”
Gabby then paid a personal tribute on social media. “Rest in Peace Dad, our hearts are broken but your love and legacy will live on,” she said.
Gabby continued with a longer post, writing: “Thank you for all the messages of love and support today. It meant so much to us. Our father was a warrior on the soccer pitch, captained his club and country, and was a kind and generous person off the field. He would have hated the attention (well, most of it).”
“The stories that strangers shared with us today were very comforting. He touched the lives of so many people.
Gabby Logan and her father Terry Yorath (Image: EMPICS Sport)
“We knew he had limited time but it’s still a shock. Yesterday afternoon I sat by his bedside at St James’s Hospital in Leeds and debated whether roast potatoes with calf’s liver were better than mashed potatoes. That was the meal he decided he would like to have when he gets home tomorrow.
“It’s a shame he had to endure so much pain. The tragedy of the Bradford fire will forever be in his heart and the loss of Daniel defined the second half of his life.
“Thank you to my father for instilling in me a passion for fairness. Thank you for letting me play rounders and compete after dinner, even though Louise always beat me. When I was 8 years old, I kept losing at cards with doubles or give-ups. 1, Thank you for not making me pay $865,986. Thank you for teaching me the value of money by challenging me to eat a pot of mustard with dinner in exchange for £5 so I could buy the pair of shoes I wanted at the time.” 12 Thank you for making me love sports all my life (even though my mother was scared), thank you for teasing me mercilessly with your wicked sense of humor.
“And to the wonderful staff at Jimmy’s J16 who were so kind and caring to him, you are all angels. I love you, Dad.”
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