Gabby Logan has paid tribute to Welsh legend Terry Yorath after his death

Broadcaster Gabby Logan has paid tribute to her father, Welsh football legend Terry Yorath, describing him as a “kind-hearted and generous man” with a “wicked sense of humour”.

The former Leeds United and Wales midfielder died aged 75 this week after a short illness.

Posting on Instagram, Logan shared the tribute accompanied by several family photos from her father’s life and career.

Cardiff-born Jorath captained and coached Wales during a glittering career that also saw him become the first Welsh player to play in a European Cup final in 1975.

Logan was presenting Match of the Day on Wednesday night before abruptly leaving the show during the broadcast.

She was replaced by Mark Chapman, who said his co-host had to deal with a “family emergency.”

Logan thanked people for sharing their messages of love and support.

“Our father was a warrior on the football field, a captain for the club and country, and a kind-hearted and generous man off the field,” she said.

Logan added that she spent some time with her father the day before, where they discussed their favorite meals to eat while he spent time in the hospital.

She said his death came as a “shock” even though she knew he had only a limited amount of time left after suffering ill health.

People from the world of football commented on the post, expressing their respect.

Former players, including Alan Shearer, Alex Scott and Rio Ferdinand – who have all worked with Logan as pundits – sent supportive messages to the broadcaster on an Instagram post.

Fellow presenters such as Traitors host Claudia Winkleman and Davina McCall also sent their condolences, with the latter saying the tribute was “beautifully written”.

Logan also referred to the Valley Parade fire that killed 56 people and injured more than 250 during a match against Lincoln City in May 1985.

Yorath was a Bradford player-coach at the time and was at Valley Parade when it happened, and Logan said the incident was “in his heart forever”.

Yorat had three more children – Daniel, Louise and Jordan.

In 1992, Yurat was playing football with 15-year-old Daniel in the garden of the house, when the teenager collapsed and died. He had an undetected genetic heart condition – hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Logan said the incident defined the second half of her father’s life, but added that she was relieved that the couple had “reunited” and that being with him would “feel like home” to Yorat.

Logan has credited her father with instilling a “lifelong love of sport” in her as she reflects on a career that has seen her perform at numerous international events such as the World Cup, European Championships and Six Nations Championships.

She also thanked the NHS staff at St James’s University Hospital in Leeds who cared for Purat “with such compassion”.

She signed the post saying, “Love you dad,” alongside some heart emojis and a Welsh flag.