Gabby Logan: My life in media

Gabby Logan, 34, hosts Inside Sport on BBC1 and is a presenter on Radio Five Live. She was previously a mainstay of ITV's sports coverage and has written columns for national newspapers including The Independent and The Times.

She is a former gymnast who competed at the Commonwealth Games. The daughter of Terry Yorath, the Welsh ex-footballer, she is married to Kenny Logan, the Scottish rugby union player, and lives in London.

She is sailing in The Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes on 3 August, an event created to find the top sailor at Skandia Cowes Week 2007(www.volkswagen.co.uk/Touareg and www.kingofcowes.com).

What inspired you to embark on a career in the media?

Growing up I was in contact with the media more than average due to my dad's job. Then when I was a teenager I appeared on Blue Peter as a gymnast. I loved the buzz of the place and the live element of the show.

When you were 15 years old, which newspaper did your family get, and did you read it?

There was always a Sun, Mirror, Mail and then the Yorkshire Evening Post. The broadsheet would be The Times but I was interested in picking any of them up.

And what were your favourite TV and radio programmes?

I remember Steve Wright and the posse, and Simon Mayo and Sybil Ruscoe. I used to love watching Auf Wiedersehen, Pet with my dad and an interest in Newsround led me on to programmes such as World in Action and Panorama. There were also sports shows on in our house.

Describe your job.

Diverse - as a broadcast journalist, live presentation, communication and flexibility are all key. There is no pattern, rhyme or reason in what goes on and you need to be prepared for anything.

What's the first media you tune into in the mornings?

Radio Five Live as it gives an overview of everything. I will also watch BBC Breakfast while the kids watch Channel Five cartoons.

Do you consult any media sources throughout the day?

I change my papers to get a variety of opinion and styles. I also consult BBC radio and television programmes, and Sky Sports News Online is also important.

What is the best thing about your job?

The unpredictability. I often have times of the day free that other people may not - so I enjoy spending time with my kids when I get it.

And the worst?

When the unpredictability means I am away from my family for too long. Being judged publicly can also have its drawbacks, though I accept it is part of the job.

Do you feel you have influence in the media?

I suppose the main thing is that being part of a group of women involved in sports broadcasting, I have helped change perceptions of females in the media. I hope that this will open doors for a new generation of females.

What's the proudest achievement in your working life?

I'm proud to have worked on World Cups, the European Championships and the Champions League, as not many female broadcasters have done that. However, the rugby World Cup Final in 2003 was huge for me as I think it was an important moment in England's sporting history.

And what's your most embarrassing moment?

Recently on one of my Saturday morning radio shows, the technical aspects of the programme and my brain had a few glitches and I didn't feel in control at all. My boss later called to say how much he was enjoying it!

At home what do you tune in to?

Apart from sport, I am quite a fan of two-part dramas. I particularly like the thrillers.

What is your Sunday paper? And do you have a favourite magazine?

The Sunday Times, The Observer or The Sunday Telegraph but also the News of the World, which is a good light read but also at times a good campaigning paper. I read a lot of magazines but nothing stands out.

Name the one career ambition you want to realise before you retire.

I would like to have my own chat show, which I would exec-produce - my chat show hero is Oprah, for the diversity of her show.

If you didn't work in the media what would you do?

I would like to think I could work in the caring professions. I admire nurses, midwives and other carers immensely. In reality I am not patient enough so realistically I'd either work in architecture or be a barrister.

Who in the media do you admire most and why?

David Attenborough, Kate Adie, Jeremy Paxman, Des Lynam and Oprah, all for different reasons but all because they have a passion for their subjects.

The CV

1992 As a student at Durham University, she starts media career with Metro FM Television

1996 Joins Sky Sports and is subsequently asked to write columns for the Yorkshire Post and later for the Sunday Mirror

1998 Joins ITV to present On The Ball

1999 Begins seven years of hosting Champions League football coverage and presenting The Boat Race

2002 Becomes first woman to host live terrestrial coverage of a football match

2003 Hosts ITV's Rugby World Cup coverage

2007 Joins BBC