Source: icwales
Strictly Come Dancing star Gabby Logan is hiding secret heartache on the dancefloor as her parents head for divorce.
The golden girl of BBC Sport will have millions of viewers in a spin on Saturday as she features in the new line-up of the BBC1 hit series.
Gabby, 34, is competing against her husband, ex-Scotland rugby star Kenny Logan, in the fifth series hosted by Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly.
But behind the scenes, the BBC Inside Sport presenter is nursing hidden heartbreak as her dad, former Wales manager and captain Terry Yorath, and mum Christine prepare for divorce after 36 years of marriage.
For the past four years, the couple have lived separate lives in Leeds. But now the pair have decided to call time on their marriage.
Terry, 57, revealed: “Christine and I are going for divorce aflter 36 years together. It’s a hell of a long time but we have been separated for four years. Everything is amicable. Gabby is sad about it. These things are not nice but I guess you have to make the best of it and get on with life.”
The news comes as tragedy-hit Terry struggles to get his life back together.
The Cardiff-born football hero was admitted to hospital with abdominal pains last year. He was later diagnosed with pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, and placed on a drip on admission to St James’ University Hospital in his home city of Leeds.
Alcohol abuse and gallstones are the two main causes of pancreatitis, accounting for 80-90 per cent of all cases.
Despite the scare, Terry says he is now back on the road to health, though he is currently out of work after leaving Huddersfield Town FC, where he was assistant manager, last December.
Terry, who guided Wales to within a penalty kick of the 1994 World Cup, is struggling to find a job in football after having a string of applications rejected.
He said: “I am mainly watching football at the moment. I am looking to get back into it but I am unemployed since leaving Huddersfield. I left as things were not going well for everyone. I have applied for a few jobs at other clubs but nothing has come of it.”
Terry has been living alone since splitting from his wife.
The ex-Wales star admits his family has never recovered from the sudden death of his 15-year-old son Daniel in 1992.
The teenager, already on the books of Terry’s old club Leeds United, was playing football with his father in the back garden when he collapsed. It was later discovered he had been suffering from a heart condition called hypertrophic myopathy.
In 2004, Terry was given a 30-month driving ban and 60 hours’ community service after knocking down a 27-year-old call centre worker while driving under the influence.
Last year, he was involved in a bitter fall-out with Gabby after she told a newspaper that he had become a recluse and was suffering with health problems.
Despite the fall-out, his family rallied round when he was admittted to hospital amid fears that his long-term health was at risk.
It was claimed Gabby took her dad under her wing as he battled to recover, but Terry says he got back on his feet alone.
“I am now feeling a lot better, thanks. I have been working hard at it,” he said. “I am looking forward to seeing Gabby on TV this weekend. Gabby and Kenny are a hell of a couple and it will be good to see them competing.”
Despite living in London with her husband and two young children, Lois and Reuben, Gabby is said to be keeping an eye on her dad as he prepares for divorce.
She said: “It’s difficult because you want them both to be happy. As soon as this whole thing is over they can move on but it’s difficult while its going on. It’s a challenge.
“It’s not my problem as such. It’s been a long time in the making. But hopefully in a few years’ time when they’re on their new paths it will be OK.”
Gabby says dealing with her parents’ divorce has made her re-evaluate her own views on the subject.
She said: “It’s made me realise how awful it must be when you have small children. I’ve always been quite righteous and said people shouldn’t stay together for the sake of the children but I can see why people do. ”