Gabby Logan was forced to leave the Match of the Day studio during the show on Wednesday (January 7) before being replaced by Mark Chapman at short notice.
Logan, alongside Kelly Cates and Chapman, took up the role of Match of the Day co-hosts at the start of the 2025/26 campaign following Gary Lineker bringing a 26-year stint as lead presenter to an end at the end of last season.
The 52-year-old has previously worked for the BBC as well as several outlets, including ITV Sport, Channel 5, and Sky Sports.
And yesterday’s Match of the Day started as any other weekly showing of the iconic football highlights show, with former Liverpool stars Danny Murphy and Stephen Warnock joining Logan on-air for analysis of the evening’s eight Premier League fixtures.
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However, viewers noticed that around 20 minutes into the episode, Logan had been replaced by Chapman, who took up presenting duties at short notice, having already been at the BBC studios working on BBC Radio 5 Live’s football coverage.
Chapman, also 52, stepped in following highlights of Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Brighton and addressed Logan’s sudden exit.
“We’ll talk about that game [Man City vs Brighton] in just a moment, sadly Gabby has got a family emergency that she’s had to rush off and deal with,” Chapman said.
“So she’s gone to do that, and I’ve come from the radio to finish the show.”
Fans were quick to wish Logan well and praise Chapman for his professionalism.
One said: “Mark Chapman is wildly underrated. An absolutely brilliant broadcaster - proving it yet again tonight.
“Best wishes to Gabby Logan, hopefully the family emergency isn’t owt traumatic.”
Another added: “Thoughts with Gabby Logan with whatever’s happened there.
“Mark Chapman, out of breath, running over from the radio to take over, is crazy.
“Peak professionalism.”
While a third claimed: “Mark Chapman proper professional, how good is he taking over MOTD halfway through?”
As a fourth commented: “Hope all is OK with Gabby Logan and her family. Mark Chapman taking over at such short notice just highlights his professionalism. One of the very best.”
It later emerged that Logan's father and former Leeds United midfielder, Terry Yorath, had passed away aged 75, with the BBC confirming the sad news on Thursday (January 8) morning.
Yorath played for Leeds 199 times between 1967 and 1976, and also represented Wales on 59 occasions before moving into management, taking charge of Bradford, Swansea, Cardiff City, and Sheffield Wednesday as well as Wales.
"To most he was a revered footballing hero, but to us he was Dad; a quiet, kind and gentle man. Our hearts are broken but we take comfort knowing that he will be reunited with our brother, Daniel," Yorath's children said in a statement.
In a separate statement, the BBC offered “its condolences to all the family”.
Topics: Mark Chapman, Match Of The Day, Football, Premier League
Luke Davies