Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Gabby Logan has opened up on the real reason why she was left in tears after she was eliminated from the BBC dance competition
Gabby Logan has shared the emotional moment she "cried into her sofa" following her departure from Strictly Come Dancing, despite her successful career as a presenter and former Welsh international gymnast.
Best recognised for her work with BBC Sport and ITV, Logan participated in the 2007 series of the popular dance show but was eliminated early, finishing in 11th place, while her husband Kenny Logan, the ex-Scotland rugby player, achieved fifth place in the same series.
The couple, who have been together for over two decades and have two children, Reuben and Lois, experienced contrasting fortunes on the dance floor.
Logan has recently spoken out about the impact of her elimination, revealing in her 2022 memoir the heartache she felt, confessing, "People really don't like me," as she grappled with the disappointment.
In a conversation with The Times, she explained her distress, simply stating: "Because I was kicked out!".
She reflected on the tough lesson she learned about public perception, noting that traits admired in athletes were not always celebrated elsewhere.
She recalled being criticised for her competitive nature, which she had always considered a positive aspect of her sporting career, reports the Express.
"And it was a harsh lesson, learning that sometimes not everyone likes you," she said. "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.”
Logan observed a change in attitudes towards competitive women in society, suggesting that by the 2012 Olympics, such qualities were more widely embraced, marking a stark contrast to the reception she received in 2007.
Alesha Dixon, known for her role as a judge on Britain's Got Talent, triumphed in the year she competed on Strictly. Since the dance competition's start in 2005, there have been just six female champions.
In related developments, Logan is poised to become part of a trio of presenters on the esteemed BBC football highlights programme Match of the Day.
Along with Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman, Logan will take over presenting responsibilities from the forthcoming season, succeeding Gary Lineker.
Gary Lineker announced his departure from Match of the Day last year after helming the show for a quarter of a century, citing it as the "right time" for him to move on and referencing changes at the BBC regarding the show's future direction.
While discussing the news on his podcast 'The Rest Is Football', the 64-year-old broadcaster mentioned: "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."
