Gabby Logan Reflects on Confidence Knock After Losing Job to a Man

Gabby Logan has opened up about a significant confidence setback she faced in 2006 when an important presenting job was handed to a man instead of her.

The 51-year-old broadcaster, who is set to host the BBC’s Olympics coverage in Paris, began her career in radio in her twenties before transitioning to TV presenting roles with ITV and Sky.

In a recent interview with Saga Magazine, Logan discussed her departure from ITV, recalling the difficulties she encountered when her role as a World Cup anchor was reassigned to a male presenter.

“I left ITV under something of a cloud,” she shared with the publication. “I felt it was all gone.”

Despite the setback, Logan has learned to view the experience more positively. “Maybe if that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t be as appreciative and as hardworking now. When I stop, I want it to be on my own terms,” she explained. The Independent has reached out to ITV for comment.

In 2010, Logan told The Independent that her stint as a World Cup anchor for ITV “wasn’t very enjoyable because I was being slowly … er … moved out of my position.” She described the situation as feeling “cruel and horrible” at the time.

After her departure from ITV, Logan joined the BBC, where she has since hosted Wimbledon, Match of the Day, and her first Olympics in 2008.

As she prepares for the upcoming Paris Olympics, Logan mentioned that her husband, Kenny, and daughter, Lois, will accompany her to France, while her son Reuben, a professional rugby player, will remain in the UK to continue his training.

“Lois and Kenny are coming out for the show jumping,” she mentioned. “Reuben will be in training but glued to it on the TV.”

When discussing the anticipation leading up to the Olympics, she shared that she prefers to “focus on the job” rather than feeling any nerves.

“You’re aware when something is enormous, but I think you want to try to get the best out of yourself. The secret, as ever, is to be yourself.”

Away from her sports presenting career, Logan hosts her own podcast, Mid.Point, where she invites notable guests to discuss their mid-life challenges and expectations, seeking advice from health gurus and mental health experts.

In a recent episode, Logan opened up about experiencing a “meltdown” during menopause and telling her husband she was going to leave him.

Menopause causes changes in hormone levels that can lead to mood swings, low mood, and anxiety. Logan recounted dealing with a “mini-crisis” as a result.

Speaking to The Times about her new book, The Midpoint Plan, Logan reflected on realizing she was perimenopausal when she was 47 and the impact it had on her relationships.

“It was over something small, like the kids not clearing up after breakfast,” she recalled. “That was probably my lowest point, my mini-crisis. It was the time when I was feeling, this is not me and this isn’t how I cope with things.”

“I expected that things would change physically as you get older, but I wasn’t prepared for feeling so unenthused, anxious, snappier, and short-tempered,” she said. “I had a lot to be grateful for, but that compounds it because then you’re thinking, well, what’s wrong with me?”

Source: Saga Magazine, The Independent, The Times