Gabby Logan pauses BBC's Great North Run coverage to make tragic announcement

BBC's Gabby Logan at the Great North Run
-Credit: (Image: BBC)


Gabby Logan, the popular BBC presenter, interrupted the Great North Run coverage on Sunday to announce the sad news of the death of a well-known former participant in the race earlier this week.

Fresh from her role as one of the main hosts for the Olympics, Logan returned to Tyneside to lead the live broadcast from the start line of the Great North Run, reports Chronicle Live.

Her first task of the day was to introduce a special rendition of the iconic anthem Local Hero, played by the new Guitar Heroes recording of the Mark Knopfler track.

READ MORE: Gabby Logan has family meetings with husband as she 'struggles to adapt' after working away

READ MORE: BBC's Gabby Logan forced to make public statement after Olympics TV incident

Following the song, a montage of highlights from the past 43 years was shown, including Mo Farah's final Great North Run in 2023 and Claire Lomas, who completed the race in 2016 using a bionic suit.

Claire, 44, suffered a broken neck, back and ribs and punctured a lung when she was thrown off her horse 17 years ago. Despite these challenges, she raised £1 million for charity, even participating in the London Marathon in 2012.

Claire Lomas during an Investiture Ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2017
Claire Lomas during an Investiture Ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2017 -Credit:Alpha Press/SWNS

Gabby paused the coverage to inform viewers: "You may have recognised Claire Lomas in her bionic suit, which she wore to complete the Great North Run, having been paralysed in her sport, eventing.

"Well, it is very sad news I bring you that Claire died in an accident in Jordan a few days ago," before describing Claire as an "incredible inspiration" and promising a proper tribute to her later, alongside GNR founder, Sir Brendan Foster.

In a brief statement confirming Claire's death earlier this week, her family expressed: "We are absolutely devastated to lose Claire. We would ask people to respect our privacy in the coming days to allow us to grieve in peace."