Gabby Logan leads MOTD’s new era as BBC reels in a two-woman hosting team
In her first interview since joining the flagship program, Logan says she hasn’t heard from Gary Lineker and explains how she stays warm on the touchline
Gabby Logan is stepping into a pivotal role as the BBC revamps Match Of The Day, the world’s longest-running football television program, by creating a two-woman presenting team alongside Mark Chapman. The move follows the exit of Gary Lineker at the end of last season and signals a break with the show’s longstanding male-hosted tradition. Logan has not heard from Lineker since his departure amid the controversy that surrounded his social media post.
Logan, 52, spoke in her first interview since becoming a lead presenter about the milestone and the challenges of helming one of television’s most scrutinized jobs. “Who’d have thought they’d have a menopausal woman hosting Match Of The Day? Not only has football come a long way but so has being able to use that M-word, because it used to have the connotations of being past it,” she quipped, underscoring a broader shift in sports broadcasting toward greater gender and age representation. The arrangement pairs Logan and Kelly Cates with Mark Chapman to share hosting duties on the flagship show.
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The changes come after a 26-year run for Lineker and reflect a broader evolution in the show’s leadership. The program has long been anchored by a male voice, a lineage that includes Kenneth Wolstenholme, David Coleman, Jimmy Hill, and Des Lynam. Logan notes the shift as part of a wider cultural move toward inclusivity in football media and says the younger generation may view women presenting MOTD as the norm over time. “TV should reflect society,” she says, adding that many viewers have been supportive and that the reaction from women in particular has been affirming.
Despite the high level of scrutiny surrounding MOTD, Logan frames the job as a continuation of her career more than a departure. She has been a familiar figure in BBC Sport, with stints hosting Final Score and fronting major events such as the London Marathon. Her experience as a long-time stand-in on MOTD since 2007 and as a relief presenter on The Premiership (ITV) informs her approach: she focuses on letting pundits shine and ensuring their analyses shape the narrative of the match, rather than chasing attention or controversy.
Wardrobe decisions for MOTD present practical challenges. With the show shot on a green screen, Logan must avoid wearing colors that would disappear on camera. She has learned to choose unfussy, monochrome outfits and avoids anything that could distract viewers. She notes that budgets for stylists are limited, so she personally curates her wardrobe and physical comfort becomes a factor when cameras and microphones are in place for long broadcasts. When fans reach out about outfits, she says she hears more from viewers than critics about what works on screen.
Logan’s on-pitch routine includes a practical secret for staying warm in chilly stadiums: a heated vest. “I’ve got a really good coat selection. I’m always looking out for coats,” she explains. “Temperatures can be minus and you’re there for hours. So I wear a heated vest. It has a battery and it heats up. I wear it under a polo neck, and then my coat. It means you don’t have to wear too many layers.” The innovation has become popular enough that colleagues began adopting similar gear after seeing her use it on screen.
Beyond the studio, Logan’s life has shifted toward an emptier home as her children move through university and into early adulthood. She and husband Kenny, a former Scotland rugby player, are based in Buckinghamshire. Their twins, Lois and Reuben, are now in their early 20s, with Reuben pursuing rugby in Manchester and Lois returning to university. The transition mirrors a broader personal turning point as Logan navigates a demanding high-profile role while managing family life from afar.
On health and empowerment, Logan has long positioned herself as an advocate for fitness and wellness, particularly for women navigating hormonal changes. She is an ambassador for Menopace, a Vitabiotics brand, and is launching The Menopace Strength Test to help women assess and improve physical strength. Scientific evidence supports the value of strength training for bone density, cardiovascular health, and mood during menopause, and Logan frames strength and movement as a tool for seizing the next life stage rather than fearing it. She reflects on her own journey, noting that training in her 50s has been liberating and that she approaches exercise as a means to feel capable, not to conform to external ideals.
In her view, the evolution of MOTD mirrors society’s broader shift toward inclusion and openness. After nearly three decades in sports broadcasting, Logan says she remains focused on the work: facilitating clear, insightful analysis and delivering engaging coverage of matches while respecting the show’s heritage. The broadcaster hopes the audience will continue to see MOTD as a program that evolves with the game and its fans, rather than as a static institution. The move to a two-woman front with Chapman marks a landmark moment for the show and for British sports media, signaling that leadership and visibility can come from a wider range of voices without sacrificing the program’s identity. As MOTD begins this new chapter, viewers can expect continuity in the presentation of football analysis and celebration of the sport’s diversity, both on and off the pitch.