TV presenter Gabby Logan has revealed why she "cried into her sofa" after she was eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing. The broadcaster and former Welsh international gymnast is best known for her presenting roles with BBC Sport and ITV. The presenter appeared on the 2007 series of the BBC dance competition but finished in 11th place. Meanwhile, her husband Kenny, who is a former Scotland rugby international, also appeared on the same series and came in 5th place.
The pair have now been married for over 22 years and share two children together, Reuben and Lois. However, Gabby has now opened up candidly about her elimination. She wrote in her 2022 memoir that she said, “People really don’t like me,” as she cried into her sofa. Talking to The Times, when asked why she was so upset, to which Gabby replied, “Because I was kicked out!
"And it was a harsh lesson, learning that sometimes not everyone likes you. You realise the parts of your personality that you thought were attributes as a sportswoman are not valued. I was told I was being too competitive, whereas I was thinking, ‘I thought that was good. That’s what I did in sport — and it worked — and that’s what my husband is doing.’
"I actually reckon there was a societal shift between that show in 2007 and 2012. At the 2012 Olympics we started to appreciate tough, competitive women. We made heroes of them. But in 2007 I wasn’t playing the game expected of a woman.”
Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon went on to win the series that year. Since its inception in 2005, there have only been six female winners on Strictly.
In similar news, Gabby is set to join a three-person presenting team on the iconic BBC programme Match of the Day. Kelly Cates, Gabby, and Mark Chapman will share hosting duties from next season following Gary Lineker's exit.
Gary announced last year that he was stepping down from the programme after 25 years as host and declared that it was the "right time" to leave as he said the BBC were planning to do the show "slightly differently" in the future.
Speaking on his 'The Rest Is Football' podcast, the 64-year-old star said: "I feel this is now the right time. I think (with) the next highlights contract, they're looking to do 'Match of the Day' slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm."
