Gabby Logan returns to TV work with heartbreaking post about dad Terry Yorath’s death – and how it left her with trepidation after ‘last time a phone call rocked our world’ when she walked out on Match of the Day

Gabby Logan has admitted to trepidation when returning to television work for the first time since the death of her father Terry Yorath earlier this month.

Leeds and Wales legend Yorath died at the age of 75 on January 7 following a short illness, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the football world.

Logan, 52, returned to the The Sports Agents podcast alongside Mark Chapman earlier this month, and made her return on television for Amazon Prime’s Champions League coverage on Tuesday.

She anchored the streaming service’s coverage of Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Inter Milan, with Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott and Clarence Seedorf supporting as pundits.

Following the match, Logan admitted to having trepidation around hosting after being forced to leave Match of the Day earlier this month.

Chapman had stood in for Logan during the show, telling views that she had left to deal with a ‘family emergency’.

Leeds and Wales legend Yorath passed away at the age of 75 earlier this month 

Logan shared photos from the San Siro after presenting coverage of Arsenal’s win over Inter Milan on Tuesday and thanked the football family for their support after her father’s passing

‘Got back in the saddle last night at San Siro,’ Logan said following last night’s match.

‘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 post included photos of Logan presenting coverage and an upbeat image of her with the punditry team.

Last weekend, Logan was joined by some family members in the stands at Leeds as they paid tribute to her father ahead of their 1-0 win over Fulham with a minute of applause.

Gabby Logan watched tributes to her late father Terry Yorath at Elland Road last Saturday

There was a minute of applause and the players wore black armbands as Leeds beat Fulham

Yorath won the old First Division with Leeds in 1973-74, as well as reaching the finals of the European Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup, and the FA Cup

Yorath played for Leeds between 1967 and 1976, winning the First Division in 1973-74 as well as reaching the finals of the European Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup, and the FA Cup.

Logan, was joined by her daughter Lois, her brother Jordan, and his fiancee Leanna Corban.

Players gathered around the centre circle to clap and wore black armbands. Tributes were also paid at other clubs which Yorath had graced including Bradford City. 

The presenter had also shared a heartbreaking tribute to her father in a social media post earlier this month.

Logan wrote: ‘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.

‘We knew he had limited time, but it is still a shock. Yesterday afternoon [Wednesday] 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]. 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.

She had previously shared photographs of herself and her dad from down the years, including at her wedding

Logan also revealed a look into Yorath’s life at home, including him petting the dogs 

The star (pictured in 1973) was born in Cardiff and won 59 caps for the Welsh national side 

‘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 eight 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.’

She also shared various photographs of Yorath in day-to-day life, including him spending time with the dogs, working in the kitchen, and speaking at her wedding.

Yorath’s death provoked an outpouring of loving comments as well as a much-derided contribution from former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys, who reignited a longstanding feud with Logan with his tribute.

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.’

TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods led the criticism of Keys, writing: ‘Sorry… but what a t**t. Said with zero surprise.’ She later added: ‘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.’