Following her separation from rugby star Stuart Hogg,ITV presenter Leonna Mayor has confirmed she is now a single parent. The split occurred in January, shortly after Hogg's legal proceedings regarding domestic abuse.
The fallout of the November 2023 relationship announcement
The relationship between Leonna Mayor and Stuart Hogg first drew public attention in late 2023, but it was immediately met with intense scrutiny. As the Racing Post reported, the romance became public knowledge just days after Hogg had welcomed his fourth child with his then-wife, Gillian. This timing triggered a significant wave of social media criticism against Mayor, who found herself defending a partner while simultaneously managing her own public image as a prominent racing presenter.
Navigating this period required significant mental resilience, a quality Mayor says she has had to develop to survive the backlash. She admitted to the Racing Post that she occasionally responded to social media users when she perhaps should not have, driven by a natural desire to defend those she loves. This public struggle has been a defining part of her journey since the relationship first emerged amid such controversy.
Stuart Hogg’s Selkirk Sheriff Court conviction and its aftermath
The personal challenges Mayor faced were compounded by the legal proceedings involving Stuart Hogg at Selkirk Sheriff Court. In November 2024, the former Glasgow Warriors and Exeter Chiefs player admitted to a five-year pattern of domestic abuse against his estranged wife, Gillian. The court heard details of his behavior,which included shouting, swearing, and repeatedly tracking Gillian's movements to send distressing messages.
While Hogg was spared a prison sentence and instead received a Community Payback Order in January 2025, the scandal fundamentally altered the landscape of his personal life. For Mayor, the aftermath meant transitioning into single motherhood while dealing with the weight of Hogg's legal history. She has noted that while she wishes for a traditional family unit for her son, Teddy, she prefers having two happy parents in separate lives over a fractured household.
A return to the saddle at a Nottingham charity event
Looking to move past the recent turmoil, Mayor is focusing on her professional recovery and community contribution through a return to her roots . The 35-year-old ITV presenter is preparing to ride in a charity event in Nottingham later this month, marking her first time in a racing saddle since her professional jockey career ended in 2013. This comeback is more than just a personal milestone; it is a way for her to give back to the sport of horse racing.
However, the physical demands of the event are not to be underestimated. Mayor has expressed that returning to short stirrups and the intense cardio requirements of riding after more than a decade away will be a significant "shock to the system." Despite the physical challenge, she remains focused on her growth and the support she receives from her family, including her mother and Teddy's grandparents.
What rmeains unsaid about Stuart Hogg’s role in Teddy’s life?
Despite the transparency provided in recent interviews, several aspects of the family dynamic remain unverified. While Mayor has confirmed she is raising her son, Teddy, entirely on her own, it remains unclear how much contact Stuart Hogg maintains with the child following their January split. The exact nature of any future co-parenting arrangements has not been publicly disclosed.
Additionally, while Mayor has addressed the social media vitriol, the long-term impact on her career in the television industry remains an open question. While she has successfully transitioned from jockey to pundit, the intersection of personal scandal and professional reputation is a delicate balance that obsevers will continue to watch closely.
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