Gabby Logan has candidly opened up about a worrying health issue that began affecting her live broadcasts — leaving her struggling to “find the right words at the right time” in front of millions.
The 52-year-old presenter admitted she found herself hesitating mid-sentence, saying she was “umming a bit” and repeating phrases like “very, very, very” as her memory faltered during high-pressure moments on air.
For someone fronting major global sporting events — including the BBC’s coverage of the London Marathon, where more than 50,000 runners take to the streets — the issue quickly became impossible to ignore.
Gabby later discovered the cause behind the unsettling symptoms: perimenopause. The condition, often described by women as a form of “brain fog,” can make the mind feel as though it’s filled with “cotton wool,” impacting memory and focus.
Speaking about the moment she realised what was happening, Gabby said she was initially confused and alarmed, explaining: “I didn’t realise when I first started to experience the symptoms, and it was so alien to me to not be able to recall that I was starting to think, ‘Oh God, I just can’t remember stuff any more’.”
That realisation, however, brought relief. She added that understanding it was part of a natural process meant “you can do something about it.”
To cope, Gabby has adopted practical strategies — including keeping notes nearby while presenting to ensure she doesn’t forget names. She’s also been actively working to retrain her brain, reading outside her comfort zone and challenging herself with memory exercises like recalling six-digit numbers without relying on Google.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has also played a key role in helping her regain confidence in her memory. Reflecting on her fears at the time, she previously admitted she worried about her future on screen, saying she thought: “Oh, God, am I going to keep doing my job if I can’t recall somebody’s name?”
Now, Gabby is speaking openly about the experience in a bid to empower other women navigating similar challenges — encouraging them to prioritise both mental and physical wellbeing during this stage of life.
