Logan's run

The departure of Gabby Logan from 5Live in the New Year seems straightforward enough. We knew about it in September  -  presumably contract re-negotiation time.

Gabby started a three-year contract with the BBC in January 2007. It was, probably, one of those portfolio deals that were so favoured by the organisation then - this is the money, we'll sort out the programmes later.  Sometime in late 2009, it probably looked like Gabby should do more radio to make up the deal; there seemed to be less tv work around, with Lineker and Chiles ensconced fronting football on BBC1 and BBC2. So Gabby's weekend role at 5Live was extended, with the weekday lunchtime show starting in January this year.  With Salford on the horizon, the question of how long she might stay should have been raised by Controller Adrian Van Klaveren.  But maybe it wasn't.

The reason for her departure in March is "family and work commitments".  If you live in London, a lunchtime show is the top deal for a working mother. Gabby's twins are five.  So I'm guessing that the family commitment is to school in London, not Manchester.  The work commitment is interesting; Gabby is having a bigger and better year with BBC Sport, fronting Final Score after the departure of Ray Stubbs to ESPN  - and getting the odd Match of the Day too. She's also proved a reliable dep on The One Show.  So maybe there'll be a commitment to some time spent in Salford in any new deal, but only on matchdays.