BBC Olympics host Gabby Logan halts broadcast for 'sad' announcement: 'Can't believe I'm saying this'

Logan had been joined in the Stade de France by regular guests Michael Johnson, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Lewis. She explained she had an announcement before wrapping up the show on Saturday and proceeded to share the news that Lewis would be leaving her role.

"We end our programme tonight on a bit of sad news because this is Dame Denise Lewis' final programme with us here on BBC Sport," Logan explained.

She continued: "I can't believe I'm even saying those words. After 15 years of working with the BBC and the athletics team, you are taking up a new role as president of UK Athletics."

"I am, yes," responded Lewis, 51. She admitted: "And it's a sad farewell to my team, because you know I love working with you guys. And we've got a great production - as you know, best floor manager in the world."

"But yeah, it's time to develop and try and help the sport that's been so amazing to me," she commented.

She went on to detail: "I wouldn't be in this position had I not had a club, and all the hundreds of thousands of volunteers in the country that make these clubs what they need to be."

Lewis explained her role would "predominantly" be in grassroots as she stated: "That's where the work needs to be done".

"I'm sure with your unbelievably forceful and brilliant personality you will persuade a lot of parents," Logan enthused after Lewis described her wish to get more children into athletics. Logan then went on to share a look-back at Lewis' BBC career.

Following the poignant montage, Logan explained Johnson had brought some flowers and commented: "It's the least that you deserve from us".

"Absolutely Denise, we love you so much," Johnson agreed, continuing: "We're going to miss you - it's been amazing working with you.

"You have been just an amazing partner and we are going to miss you so much. But they're getting a great one, they're getting a great one."

"Thanks," an emotional-looking Lewis replied as she continued: "The best team. Gabby at the helm and Jess, you know I love you."

She added: "And MJ - thank you. But the production team, they're all here, you can't see them behind the camera. They make this programme what it is.

"All the runners from over the years have just been the most supporting - they get us in the right places at the right time, and our fantastic editors... It's been a journey."

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It came after Logan was criticised online during Friday's coverage for using the term "c**k up" to describe the USA men's performance in the 4x100m relay.

Some took to X to fume about the use of the phrase before the 9pm watershed, but Logan spoke out on the issue. Defending herself, she tweeted the words "good afternoon" while accompanying her message with a picture showing the definition of "c**k up".

It read: "C**k up sounds rude but it isn't. C**k, in the sense of this term, means 'stand up conspicuously', 'turn up at the edge', 'bend at an angle' etc. This is the sense of the early usage of the term 'c**k-up' in the terms 'c**k-up one's ears', 'c**k-up one's nose.'

"In the 17th and 18th centuries people were also often advised to 'c**k up' their bonnets, eyes and even legs.

"The expression 'c**k a snooker' also derives from that same sense of 'c**k."