Gabby Logan is forced to leave Match of the Day mid-show due to family emergency – with Mark Chapman on hand to swiftly replace her

Gabby Logan was forced to leave Match of the Day mid-show after being informed of a family emergency. 

The presenter, 52, was in position for the live broadcast at the start of the show and introduced highlights of Bournemouth‘s 3-2 win over Tottenham. 

She also teed up Man City‘s game against Brighton but when coverage returned to the studio, Logan had been replaced by Mark Chapman. 

Chapman told viewers: ‘We’ll talk about that game [Manchester City v Brighton] in just a moment, sadly Gabby has got a family emergency which she’s had to rush off and deal with. 

‘So she’s gone to do that and I’ve come from the radio to finish the show.’

Stephen Warnock and Danny Murphy were the pundits alongside Logan before she was replaced by Chapman, who shares presenting duties with her alongside Kelly Cates since Gary Lineker‘s retirement. 

(Pictured L-R the Logan family – Reuben, sister Lois, Gabby and Kenny) – Gabby was called away on Wednesday night for what Mark Chapman described as a family emergency

Chapman, a vastly experienced broadcaster, stepped in seamlessly on the BBC’s flagship highlights show following the late change of plan.

Logan and her husband Kenny, 53, a former Scotland rugby player, live in Buckinghamshire and have two children, twins Reuben and Lois, 20.

Reuben has followed in his father’s footsteps and plays for Sale Sharks after joining from Northampton Saints.

The family have spoken publicly about their ups and downs previously and Kenny was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, receiving treatment before he underwent a successful operation.

Gabby was also open in October last year about how the family dealt with the loss of their beloved boxer dog Milo at the age of 14.

‘When I found out the eldest dog had to be put down, I said to Kenny, “I can’t do this on my own, we’re not going to get the whole family together for its, so I need at least you and I”,’ she said.   

‘We’re going to have to have a gin and tonic and a bit of a cry.’

Chapman replaced Logan on Match of the Day and briefly explained the change 

The presenter is married to former Scotland rugby player Kenny Logan (right) 

Logan had paid tribute to Milo in a post on social media, reflecting on the joy he had provided to her and Kenny, as well as their children Reuben and Lois.

‘Our hearts are broken. Our big guy has gone. Milo you were truly one in a million,’ Logan wrote.

She also reflected last year about dealing with her two children not being at home as much. 

‘Reuben moving to Manchester has been the biggest change for us,’ she said. ‘When he was at Northampton he could come home after matches.

‘We’ve had Lois home all summer so, with her gone as well as Reuben, we’re going to really feel it.

‘But there’s also a lot of freedom that comes with this time in your life.’

The presenter admitted to needing a ‘gin and tonic’ and a ‘bit of a cry’ following the sad loss of one of her dogs last year

The broadcaster represented Great Britain in rhythmic gymnast before moving into the television world. 

She started presenting on Sky Sports in 1996 before moving to ITV and fronting their Champions League coverage. 

Logan joined the BBC in 2006, hosting Final Score and athletics programming including multiple Olympic Games’ – also co-hosting Sports Personality of the Year.

She was named as one of the trio of presenters to replace Lineker after the veteran broadcaster called time on the role following 26 years in the chair.