Gabby Logan: ‘I was woken this morning by a woman in the next room having an

Born in Leeds, Gabby Logan, 49, retired from international gymnastics due to sciatica. Having begun her broadcasting career in radio, she became a key presenter at Sky Sports. In 2007, she joined the BBC, where she provides live coverage for sporting events such as the Olympics and Women’s Euro 2022. Her podcast is called The Mid Point, and her memoir, The First Half, has just been published. She lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband, former rugby international Kenny Logan, and their twins.

When were you happiest?
I am always happiest when my kids are on good form and we are having a lovely family dinner.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
In my 20s, on my first day at Sky Sports when I’d taken spare underwear to work. I rushed to the studio to do my first bulletin and when I came back, the pants were being paraded by somebody in the office asking where they had come from. They must have dropped out of my bag.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I wish I had wash-and-go hair that is smooth and luscious. I have to blow dry it; it’s so time-consuming, but if I just left it I’d look like a poodle that had been caught in the rain.

Who would play you in the film of your life?
Kate Winslet, please.

What is your most unappealing habit?
My husband would say damaging the alloys on the new Tesla. I’ve already had the wheel man out a few times.

What scares you about getting older?
That I won’t have got through my lists.

Which book are you ashamed not to have read?
I’ve never read any Hilary Mantel.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A barrister.

What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
My mum ringing to tell me that my brother Daniel had died; nothing surpasses that. He died at 15 of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a congenital heart disease. He was carrying this with no symptoms, so he just dropped down dead.

Would you choose fame or anonymity?
I’m lucky, I’m not someone the paparazzi are interested in. It would be disingenuous to say that my life has not been greatly enhanced by the job that I do – I wouldn’t be the president of Muscular Dystrophy UK or a patron for the Prince’s Trust or Great Ormond Street hospital.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Scrolling property websites. I choose a place in the country where I think I’d like to live, then look for what I could buy.