More stories

  • in

    BBC forced to apologise for technical issues for Scotland vs Greece clash as viewers are left without commentary

    THE BBC was forced to apologise for technical issues after viewers watching Scotland vs Greece were left without commentary.The Nations League battle saw both sides compete to remain in Group A.The BBC apologised after fans were left without commentary for Scotland vs GreeceHosts Scotland took a 1-0 league into the crunch clash as Sir Alex Ferguson led tributes to late Manchester United legend Denis Law.But fans watching at home were immediately left scratching their heads at kick off.As the two sides started playing, it became clear that there had been no commentary in the moments preceding kick-off.The match then started, with still no sound heard from the commentary box.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut the BBC appeared to be clearly aware of the issue.And an apology was swiftly flashed across the bottom of the screen.It read: “We apologise for lack of commentary.”The match then saw panellists in the studio also issue a message.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThey said: “We apologise for the lack of commentary. We’re currently having technical difficulties.”Fortunately for fans, the commentary eventually resumed.BBC forced to apologise for technical issues as Scotland vs Greece clash as viewers are left without commentaryBut this time, it was several seconds out of sync with the live action.It saw fans flock to social media to complain about the situation.One said: “BBC having a mare here.”Another declared: “Outstanding coverage of the national team here.”One noted: “Dear BBC, can you please sort the sound out.”Another added: “Fix the sound, it’s like someone telling you what happens before you’ve watched something.” More

  • in

    BBC reporter comforts British sprinter as he chokes back tears in live TV interview after winning gold

    SPEED KING Jeremiah Azu was close to tears as he became Britain’s 13th male world champion indoors.Thirteen days after he won gold at the Europeans, the Welshman sprinted to glory over 60 metres on day one of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing.Jermiah Azu gave an emotional victory to the BBCAzu, 23, had just produced an incredible performanceInitially it flashed up that he was second behind Australian Lachlan Kennedy in a dramatic photo finish.But then the scoreboard placed him first, thanks to his late dip, as he equalled his personal best time of 6.49 seconds, which had been set in Apeldoorn earlier this month.Holland-born Azu ran around the track in celebration and then spoke about his emotions during a whirlwind few weeks that had also seen him become a father for the first time.The 23-year-old – who won by a margin of 0.01 seconds from Kennedy – said: “I knew I could win it.READ MORE IN SPORT“It’s history to be a European and world champion in the same year. I’m excited for the future.“I said at the Europeans, I want to take over the world. This is just the start of our journey.“The plan is to keep on winning. This gives me massive confidence. The sky isn’t the limit – there’s way, way more than that. Let’s see what the summer brings – I’m excited for it.”Azu, who relocated from Italy to Wales after the Paris Olympics, is the fourth British man to win this sprint crown, following Jason Gardener (2004), Dwain Chambers (2010) and Richard Kilty (2014).Most read in AthleticsBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAzu won in a dramatic photo finishCredit: RexThe British star proudly holds up the GB flagCredit: RexHe said: “I was a bit emotional before the final with my coach. The last few years have been very difficult for me and this morning I was thinking about it and reflecting.“It’s so important to surround yourself with people that believe in you and who care about you. If I came last, they would be the same. That’s huge for me.Athlete disqualified for shameful act just centimetres from finish line that sparked fury “It’s been huge to move back to Cardiff. Family is everything to me. I sacrificed that for the last two years.“Being back with my family, having that support team around me, is huge.”They allow me to believe in myself and that’s something you can’t teach. It’s so important to success.”Britain’s 1500 metres runners Georgia Hunter Bell and Neil Gourley, the squad captain, and Amber Anning in the 400 metres all qualified fastest from their respective heats. More

  • in

    Becoming Match of the Day host was like finding out I was PREGNANT, says Kelly Cates as she reveals how she landed job

    WHEN Kelly Cates was told she and Gabby Logan would become the first female Match Of The Day hosts in the show’s 60-year history, she wanted to shout it from the rooftops. But unfortunately for the new presenter, she was ordered by BBC bosses to keep quiet about her new role — a scenario which felt ­familiar to the mum of two. Kelly Cates wanted to shout with joy after making history as one of Match Of The Day’s first female hosts – but the BBC told her she’d need to keep it quietCredit: RexThe appointment of Kelly, who is the daughter of Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland great Kenny Dalglish, above, was widely welcomed by the football worldCredit: AlamyKelly will be joining Mark ‘Chappers’ Chapman and Gaby Roslin as the lead MOTD presenter teamCredit: PABecause, for Kelly, sitting on the enormous secret felt just like ­hiding a pregnancy. Speaking in depth for the first time about taking over from Gary Lineker next season, Kelly, 49, said: “I’m not good at secrets — it killed me! Genuinely, once the news was announced I could have slept for two days. “I found the stress of ­keeping it a secret so hard and even though it is a nice secret, it was a little bit like the early stages of pregnancy where you feel terrible that you can’t tell anybody. “It was awful lying to genuinely good friends. I hated it.” READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSKelly will be part of a new three-strong presenting team, alongside Gabby and Mark Chapman, both 51. And she is thrilled she can now share how she managed to land the biggest job in British sports broadcasting. An industry veteran of nearly 30 years, Kelly had been working for the BBC as part of 5 Live’s football coverage, as well as anchoring live games for Sky Sports, when she was called into a meeting by Beeb executives. ‘Ego-filled world’ It had been rumoured for some time that new BBC Director of Sport boss Alex Kay-Jelski wanted to shake up Match Of The Day, the world’s longest-running football highlights show. Most read in FootballBut Kelly had not bargained for being a part of his plans. Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast, she explains: “I had the conversation early on but in very vague terms. ‘Won’t be able to look him in the eye’ – Christine Lampard and MOTD’s Kelly Cates in hysterics over ‘Frank’s hot sauce’“I was already doing radio for the BBC, already working on 5 Live so it was natural for me to have meetings when a new boss came in, and everything was being changed so that was quite natural. “But in the course of one of those meetings it was, ‘Well, we’re rethinking how we’re going to do Match Of The Day and would you be interested to be in the mix?’ Inside I couldn’t wait for the meeting to end so I could shout ‘Oh my God! This is incredible’Kelly Cates“And I was trying really hard to keep a ‘not bothered’ face, saying, ‘Yeah, that would be great’. “But inside I couldn’t wait for the meeting to end so I could shout ‘Oh my God! This is incredible’.” Kelly added: “And they were brilliant around the whole thing — trying to balance the two and the fact I can keep doing live football, which I think is really important because if you don’t do that you forget why you’re covering it, you forget about those big moments and what it is like.” It was only when Kelly’s new gig was officially unveiled in January that the enormity began to sink in. She added: “Suddenly friends of mine who don’t even like football were phoning me saying, ‘Oh my God, this is so exciting — congratulations’. I didn’t even think it would be on their radar. “They’re not in that sports world and then you realise something like Match Of The Day goes past all of that. It’s in people’s lives — it’s in the background.” The appointment of Kelly, who is the daughter of Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland great Kenny Dalglish, along with Gabby and Mark — aka Chappers — was widely welcomed by the football world. All three are hugely respected figures within the industry and there was a general consensus they had done their time, working up the ranks and honing their craft over several decades. Kelly believes landing the gig came at the perfect time for all of the new line-up. She explains: “That was the big draw for the three of us. Kenny with wife Marina, Kelly and brother Paul in 1980Credit: Getty“To be in the mix with Chappers and Gabby, who I really like as people, first of all, but really admire as broadcasters as well . . . it’s just a really lovely group to be in. “People have this perception that it is a massive ego-filled world, and it is at times and you need a certain sort of ego to feel like you can do the job because you need a certain amount of confidence. “But you don’t want to be in a position where we’re all trying to scramble over each other. “The fact we’re all the same age, we’re at the same stage of our careers, we’ve all got other things outside of Match Of The Day that we’re all passionate about and really invested in, it means none of us are treading on each other and preying on each other’s insecurities. “We’re all really comfortable about who we are and where we are in our careers, so it really works for all of us. “We’re all at a stage in our lives as well where we want to spend time with our families. “We have kids of different ages and different things going on in our home lives as well. “It’s really nice to be able to keep all that in the mix.” Kelly’s grounding in sports broadcasting came in the early days of Sky Sports News, a rolling news channel launched in 2010. ‘Kicked up a fuss’ The female-heavy list of anchors, including Kirsty Gallacher, who is godmother to one of Kelly’s daughters, became synonymous with the channel. However, the presenters were often sexualised by viewers and when that attitude seeped into the brand marketing, Kelly was the one who put a stop to it. Don’t start undermining us from inside the organisation because we can take it from other people — we’re used to that — but we thought you had our backs here, that’s the way it should beKelly on sexualisation of female sports presentersThe star has always taken her position as a role model for women in sport seriously. She explained: “It was seen as ‘fruit on the barrow’, where you would put your juiciest fruit on the barrow — there was that attitude to it. “But we didn’t feel like that from the inside. That was very much an external thing. “Then I remember there was an ad put out with four female Sky Sports News presenters on, saying ‘There’s always something worth watching on Sky Sports News’. “I remember it happened on the Sunday and I think by the Tuesday or Wednesday I’d gone into the office and said, ‘No. I get that this comes from the outside but don’t do that to us from the inside’. “Don’t start undermining us from inside the organisation because we can take it from other people — we’re used to that — but we thought you had our backs here, that’s the way it should be’.” She added: “The reaction was they didn’t think I would be the person who came in and kicked up a fuss. “I was like, ‘That says something. If you think I’m easy-going and it upset me then you should probably read something into that’.” Kelly took an extended break from sports broadcasting to concentrate on bringing up her children. She returned to work in 2013 at Radio 5 Live where she hosted the station’s famous 606 football phone-in on Sundays alongside ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright. She later returned to Sky Sports to anchor live games and previously made history as the first female presenter on talkSPORT. Glasgow-born Kelly, whose brother Paul was a professional footballer for Newcastle, is now separated from Tom Cates, the father of her two daughters. Like most working mums, Kelly admits taking care of her career and their teenage daughters can be challenging. She added: “It’s juggling lots of diaries, and I’ve got a really good relationship with my ex-husband. “He’s great with the girls in terms of being flexible because we have to be around my job. “You just make it work. I’m really lucky — I have a great job. “People do this and work three jobs and are stressed about putting food on the table and heating the house. “Although it’s tricky to do everything and all problems are relative, it’s manageable.” READ MORE SUN STORIESSaturday nights are about to get a whole lot busier for Kelly. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Kelly will be one of the team taking over when Gary Lineker leaves MOTD at the end of the current seasonCredit: BBC More

  • in

    Moment Scotland hero Scott McTominay has LASER pen flashed in his eyes by Greece fans before coolly opening scoring

    SCOTT McTOMINAY was coolness personified as he ignored LASER pens being shone in his eyes to give Scotland a Nations League playoff lead in Athens. The penalty award was debatable as the Napoli midfielder appeared to stand on the ball and accidentally initiate the contact himself – but there was no arguing about the finish as he notched his 12th goal for his country.McTominay ignores the laser pen i his eyesMcTominay ignores the laser pensThat’s despite BBC footage clearly showing fans attempting to shine a green laser in the midfielder’s eye as he prepared to take the penalty.Scotland boss Steve Clarke last night hailed his talisman for holding his nerve in the cauldron. He said: “It’s something that happens but it didn’t put him off. We are delighted with the result, 1-0 coming away to a difficult place. We had to dig in throughout the second half.”We saw two sides to the team tonight.”The first half we were excellent and played the ball around really well.”We created some good chances and could maybe have been a little further in front at half-time.”In the second half, to be fair to the Greeks, they came out and got about us. They stopped us playing and we went too long.”We didn’t get a hold of the ball enough. Then we were asked to defend and we defended quite well.Most read in Football”We defended our box and coped with what felt like a lot of pressure.”But Craig Gordon didn’t have too many saves to make. It was credit to the team defensively in the second half.Steve Clarke likes Lennon Miller’s stated ambition to become one of Scotland’s top players”It’s now game on for Sunday. I don’t see the game being closed at all. I was impressed with the Greeks in the second half.”Their away record is good too. They went to Ireland and Finland and won comfortably, while also going to Wembley and winning. The game is still wide open.”BBC pundit Steven Naismith said: “The laser pens are brought out frequently there too so Scotty was probably used to it.”McTominay has been a massive hit out in Italy, where they currently sit 2nd, three points ahead of Atalanta but three behind leaders Inter Milan.But excelling in a much more attack-minded role, McTominay has struck seven times in Serie A this season – with one of them coming against Inter in a 1-1 draw back in November.And there’s been reports in Italy that the midfielder is already a target for Napoli’s title rivals Inter.Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

  • in

    I refused to let horror car crash that took my legs ruin me – now I’m world record holder, says Strictly’s Billy Monger

    “BILLY MONGER . . . you are an Ironman.”Those words are still sinking in for a 25-year-old who has already beaten all odds to become a world-record holder.Billy Monger is a double-amputee after a shocking Formula 4 racing accident weeks before his 18th birthdayCredit: Simon JonesBilly training for the Ironman’s 112-mile bike ride across volcanic terrainCredit: Daniel Loveday/Comic ReliefThat’s a world-record holder in triathlon’s most gruelling event, the Kona Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.A 2.4-mile swim in jellyfish and shark-infested waters.A 112-mile bike ride in treacherous crosswinds across volcanic terrain. Then a marathon, 26.2miles of running.And, in case you hadn’t noticed, Billy is a double-amputee after losing one leg just below the knee and the other above the knee in a shocking Formula 4 racing accident weeks before his 18th birthday.Read more on Billy MongerBut his time of 14 hours, 23 minutes and 56 seconds smashed the world record for a double amputee by more than TWO HOURS.So was that drive always there, or was it his accident that changed him?Billy, who was raising money for Comic Relief, says: “I remember after my accident being like, ‘I’m the same 17, 18-year-old kid that I always was, wanting to be a Formula One world champion’.“There’s no getting away from it, that does affect things. You do have to grow up quicker.Most read in Athletics“Learning to deal with that adversity all of a sudden, other adversity you face in your life doesn’t seem that daunting.”So the jellyfish stings suffered on the swim are now something you just brush off?Cheryl praises inspirational racer Billy Monger’s fundraising in rare TV appearance“Yeah, well, that is what it is really!”In the brilliant film of his year of training, Billy can even joke with his coaches about sharks not being interested in him as they’d be better off chasing someone with legs.I don’t think Billy looks at things in a “normal” way, but that’s probably because he’s not normal. And that’s far from an insult and nothing to do with him being an amputee.He adds: “Because of the accident, I’m more curious about what I’m still capable of.“I don’t want to go, ‘Oh well, this bad thing happened to me, so I’m just gonna feel negative about it’.‘About to pass out’“If I did that, it’s quite obvious what my life would look like and I didn’t really fancy a piece of that.”Instead, he fancied a piece of Hawaii — not grass-skirts and sunshine but 14-plus hours of endurance racing.He says: “It’s seen to be the hardest Ironman, so looking back, I was a bit nuts for signing up.”Because of the accident, I’m more curious about what I’m still capable ofBillyHe had done only “a bit of doggy-paddle for rehab” and had not run more than 5km without pain before the training started.It is normally a four-year plan for an Ironman. Billy did it in one.His journey before is just as remarkable.Billy had been on the road to F1 as a prodigiously talented and dedicated karting racer before the horror crash at Donington Park in 2017.Billy put in hundreds of hours of trainingCredit: 2024 Comic ReliefBilly in 2017 after his horror crash at Donington ParkCredit: Rex FeaturesBut since then he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas special, BBC’s Race Across The World and covers F1 for Channel 4.Billy’s previous Comic Relief challenge, a 140-mile walking, kayaking and cycling trip across the UK in 2021, raised £3.2million.But an Ironman? Kona?!“Mad, isn’t it?” he says, reflecting on going from learning to walk as a double amputee to competing in a world championship triathlon. “But one step at a time.”His steps included needing four different sets of prosthetics, “eight spare legs”.Modest as well, he even blushes when you compliment him.But there is such a steely determination in his eyes, perhaps he always knew he would complete it?“No way,” he says. “I feared not getting across that line plenty of times.Get to race day knowing you’ve done all you can. Be the best version of yourself and that’s all that mattersBilly“To train for something like that, you have to shape every decision around your training.”Billy did the vast majority of his hundreds of hours of training alone and stump health was a serious concern, despite having a prosthetics specialist on hand.Put simply, sores and blisters from pressure and rubbing on his legs could put him back in a wheelchair for weeks, meaning no chance of getting to Kona.Even after all the hundreds of hours’ training, there were still doubts during the event.He says: “My body was doing things that I’d never seen it do before. Then you see someone passed out on the side of the road and it just adds to that anticipation.“The shaking, the ‘Am I about to pass out here?’.”But after a year dedicated to helping others, he wasn’t about to quit.He adds: “I didn’t want to let other people down.“The message was, get to race day knowing you’ve done all you can. Be the best version of yourself and that’s all that matters.”Billy barely remembers the moment the PA announcer screamed “You are an Ironman” at the finish, seconds before he collapsed into the hoardings.Fuel for the fire“But he can now watch it back time and time again as he is forever an Ironman. The Iron Monger, if you will.But Billy still doesn’t feel like this challenge is complete as it is all to raise money for Comic Relief and the community projects the charity supports, such as running clubs, food banks and care centres that Billy visited during his epic year.I ask if it has sunk in, what he and his family have achieved?He replies: “In ways it has, but in ways it hasn’t.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Comic Relief and Red Nose Day on Friday was the fuel for the fire, so it feels like the job is only half done.” More

  • in

    ‘What’s the point?’ – BBC staff raging as major shake-up sees TACTICS correspondent job offered after huge redundancies

    BBC SPORT are set to hire a “Football Correspondent (Tactics)” as part of a shake-up across the department.The Beeb have made redundancies in order to create 27 new roles.BBC Sport is set to undergo big changesCredit: GettyThe BBC’s director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, formerly of The Times and The Athletic, is looking to freshen up their coverage.According to the Mail, the new tactics role has “raised eyebrows” among Beeb staffers.The Mail were told by an insider: “What’s the point of having all these people who have played the game at the highest level to then bring in a journalist who will presumably never have kicked a ball professionally to spout off about how the likes of Pep Guardiola should be setting up their teams?”Beeb staffers were recently told about the huge shake-up.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA meeting then took place at Gary Neville’s Hotel Football to talk through the impending changes.Present at the meeting was Match of the Day’s star pundit Alan Shearer.The former Newcastle striker reportedly stressed the importance of experts providing “accurate” analysis.BBC bosses are shifting the focus of their sports coverage from broadcast to digital.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThis has seen them decide to axe their Sportsday programme.Gary Lineker announced earlier this season that he will depart Match of the Day at the end of the season.’Nobody wants to throw the baby out with the bath water’ – Gabby Logan’s bizarre hint about new-look Match of the DaySpeaking on The Rest is Football, Lineker explained: “It has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but all things have to come to an end.”It came at a point where really the BBC and Match Of The Day, they’ve got the rights for another three years.”The cycle starts from next season so it felt like if I just do one more year it would be a bit weird. I feel this is now the right time.”I think the next contract they’re looking to do Match Of The Day slightly differently.”Lineker added: “So I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.”The former England forward, 64, will be replaced by Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates on rotation.Gary Lineker is set to step down as MOTD hostCredit: PA More

  • in

    Ex-England and Gladiators star John Fashanu arrested on suspicion of ‘five crimes’ as he sues cops for £100k

    EX-ENGLAND and Gladiators star John Fashanu was arrested on suspicion of “five crimes” and is suing cops for a whopping £100,000.The 62-year-old is on bail after getting apprehended over a land dispute, reports claim.Wimbledon Goalscorer John Fashanu (c) celebrates his goal with team mates Vinnie Jones (l) and Dennis Wise during the FA Cup 5th Round matchCredit: GettyPresenters John Fashanu and Ulrika Jonsson on GladiatorsCredit: RexJohn Fashanu attends the UK Premiere of ‘The Lone Ranger’ at Odeon Leicester Square in 2013Credit: Getty – ContributorFashanu is suspected of criminal conspiracy, threat to life, intimidation, trespass, and obtaining by false pretence in Nigeria, where the star now resides.The former footballer vehemently denies the claims, and is suing cops for an eye-watering £100,000 compensation, the Mirror reports.He accuses the police of violating his rights by wrongly arresting him, his wife Vivian and his lawyer Chinyere Chigbu over what he argues is a civil dispute involving land.Some investors reportedly agreed to pay Fashanu over £500,000 for the 22-acre site before the drama unfolded.read more sportAfter discovering the investors had sent their workmen to build a perimeter fence on the site, the star and his lawyer began to investigate.He alleged that they found the fence workmen being bizarrely protected by cops and were both arrested after agreeing to go to the police station to sort out the issue.Fashanu accused them of “arrest, detention and inhuman treatment” for “about three hours” on December 16.He added that there were “subsequent intermittent constraints” of his “personal liberty” up to December 19.Most read in Football His wife Vivian was also wrong arrested, he alleged, after she went to the police station with him.Fashanu also alleged he suffered “gross unconstitutional violation” of his rights after cops took away his mobile phone.Dan Burn’s gone from pushing trolleys at Asda to potential England glory – he fully deserves his call-upThe former footballer, nicknamed Fash the Bash, helped Wimbledon win the 1988 FA Cup and played for Aston Villa and won two England caps.Fashanu was born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, and retained dual British and Nigerian citizenship due to his dad being born there.He has lived in the capital Abuja for a number of years and has become a prominent name in the country due to his successful career as a footballer and work with the Nigerian FA and the government.Fashanu’s brother, Justin, was Britain’s first openly gay footballer and the first Black £1 million player before his tragic death in 1998 at 37 years old.Earlier in March, Fashanu appeared at a hearing of Abuja’s Federal High Court where the case was adjourned by a judge until April 10.The former footballer’s lawyer Chinyere Chigbu said of the court case: “The court granted the adjournment to give all the respondents enough time to file their counter affidavit. “It will allow them enough time to properly file their response.”The lawyer also confirmed that himself and the Fashanu’s are on bail after their arrests.He added: “All three have perfected their bail conditions. “They have all met the requirements to be admitted on administrative bail by police.”READ MORE SUN STORIESFashanu filed the case against 12 defendants in the documents.These include the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police and police service commission, naming Abuja’s police commissioner, deputy commissioner, chief superintendent and deputy superintendent.John Fashanu attends ‘Dancing On Ice’ in 2023Credit: Getty More

  • in

    ‘Thought it was the end’ – New MOTD host Gabby Logan reveals how she thought career was over before landing new BBC job

    GABBY LOGAN has revealed that she nearly quit TV presenting in 2006.The popular presenter, 51, was confirmed as one of three new Match of the Day hosts earlier this year.Gabby Logan is one of the BBC’s top presentersCredit: AlamyLogan will rotate with Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman on Match of the Day next seasonCredit: PALogan’s career is going from strength to strength, as she also presents coverage of the Six Nations for the Beeb as well as Champions League football on Amazon Prime Video.Things could have been very different for the BBC stalwart, however, as she considered quitting the industry following a scathing comment from her former boss at ITV.Logan covered the 2006 World Cup for the broadcaster and had been due to present coverage of England games as well as several big knockout matches.Reliving that summer while appearing on Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time podcast, Logan admitted: “I think I had a rough ride in my early thirties in my career, and I can’t believe that’s nearly 20 years ago.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”At the time, I thought it was going to be the end of my career.”Logan, who left ITV for the BBC later in 2006, then added: “When I was leaving ITV and given another chance by the BBC… because even in my early 30s, I felt I’d already had this really long career and I’d done loads of great stuff.”I’d been at Sky to start off with and went to ITV and did loads of brilliant things.”But I kind of felt I was maybe going to have to shift and do something completely different, because I had a boss that wasn’t really into me and wanted to slightly demote me. He took me off a World Cup in 2006.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSLogan previously presented for ITVCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe popular presenter worked on London 2012 with the BeebCredit: HandoutOpening up further on what happened, she continued: “My kids were a year old and I was flying off to Germany, leaving my babies behind, going to the World Cup.”In the middle of the World Cup, he kind of sidelined me, and I came home with my tail between my legs.’New MOTD host’ Gabby Logan’s live TV interview with Liverpool boss Arne Slot ends awkwardly “I was due to do so many knockout games and he said, ‘oh, just don’t come back’ basically. Go home and don’t come back because I was due to go home for a few days.”In between the end of the group stages and the knockout stages, there’s always a couple of days off and I was going to go home because it was only Germany and the kids were a year old.”The setback even caused Logan to consider her entire future in the industry.She admitted: “I remember being at home – we were doing up a house at the time, so we were renting a house in Barnes. It was a lovely day, it was gorgeous and the river was looking beautiful and the sky was blue.I was really contemplating what to do nextGabby Logan”I just remember walking around the garden thinking ‘oh gosh, I love doing up houses, I’m just going to shift and go into property because that’s what my mum does’.”I was maybe 33 at the time and I thought maybe my law degree wasn’t out of date and I could upgrade and go to bar school. I was really contemplating what to do next.”Since joining the BBC, Logan has never looked back.Having previously covered for Lineker on Match of the Day, she will now present the programme regularly in rotation with Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman.Logan also presented at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris, having worked on several major football tournaments, the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the London Marathon.READ MORE SUN STORIESOn moving to the BBC, she reflected: “There was a lot of that to deal with, and I think it definitely fortified me.”Once I got that second chance, as I saw it at the time – somewhere that I’d always hoped I might work because of the BBC having the long history with doing the Olympics and various other things that I really wanted to work on – I felt really grateful, and also that I was going to not let this opportunity go.”Logan presents coverage of the Champions League on Amazon Prime VideoCredit: Getty More