Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has been forced to defend himself on social media after a tribute he posted to the late football legend Terry Yorath provoked widespread criticism for its remarks about Yorath's daughter, broadcaster Gabby Logan.
Insensitive Remarks Spark Immediate Backlash
Keys took to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday to pay his respects following the death of Leeds United and Wales icon Terry Yorath, who passed away at 75 after a short illness. In his initial post, Keys wrote of Yorath: "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."
The suggestion that he was responsible for Logan's career break was swiftly condemned. Leading sports presenter Laura Woods responded bluntly, calling Keys a "t***" and stating her comment was made "with zero surprise." Former BBC Sport host Dan Walker also intervened, urging Keys to reconsider his words, asking him to imagine how it would feel for Logan or her family to read them.
A History of Tension Between Former Colleagues
The controversy is the latest chapter in a long-running feud between Keys and Logan. Logan joined Sky Sports in 1996, working there for two years before moving to ITV. In her 2022 memoir, she labelled Keys a "cruel dinosaur," accusations he previously rebutted with a lengthy social media post.
Keys has also previously described Logan as a "handful" and claimed she "p****d everybody off at Sky" to the extent she was let go. His latest comments, seen by many as an attempt to take credit during a time of private grief, ignited the dispute once more.
Clarification and Family Tributes
Later on Thursday, Keys returned to X to clarify his remarks. "What a shame my words for a footballing hero of mine were entirely misinterpreted," he wrote. He added that his "affection" for Terry Yorath meant he was "more than happy to help him & his family in any way I could" and stated that "Gabby's career would make any father proud."
The incident unfolded as Gabby Logan and her family mourned their loss. Logan was replaced on Wednesday night's Match of the Day broadcast following her father's decline. The family released a joint statement, remembering Yorath as "a quiet, kind and gentle man" whose "hearts are broken."
In a moving personal tribute on social media, Gabby Logan shared heartfelt memories of her father, recalling final conversations about food and football. She thanked him for his "wicked sense of humour" and for instilling in her a "lifelong love of sport." She also referenced the family's profound tragedy of losing her brother, Daniel, noting her father was now "reunited" with him.
