Vernon Kay, the Bolton-born presenter now hosting on BBC Radio 2, has revealed he was a late developer who struggled with his appearance as a child. In an interview, Kay recalled being 16 years old and looking like a baby before a sudden growth spurt transformed him. He shot up from 5ft 4in to 6ft 4in in just a few weeks while on a trip to Seattle, leaving him with stretch marks on his legs.
Kay, son of lorry driver Norman and Gladys, credited his father for instilling a strong work ethic. He got his first job at 14, putting stickers on imported bananas in a factory, and became addicted to earning money. Kay said his father's advice, 'No one's going to give you anything ever, so you've got to go and get it yourself,' has stayed with him throughout his career.
The presenter was scouted as a model at the BBC Clothes Show Live in 1997, but his father initially laughed at the idea, telling him he looked 'too skinny' and 'like a girl'. Despite this, Kay moved to London and began modelling, eventually transitioning to TV presenting after being crowned Model of the Week on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast.
Kay became a household name as a host on Channel 4's T4 in the 2000s and later fronted shows like All Star Family Fortunes and Splash!. He also built a successful radio career, succeeding Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2 in 2023. Kay lives in Buckinghamshire with his wife, Tess Daly, and their two daughters.
Reflecting on his father's reaction to his early TV work, Kay recalled a show called Boys and Girls, a semi-dating programme that featured nudity. His father, who came to watch the filming, found it 'disgusting'. Despite this, Kay said his parents' support and the idyllic setting of his childhood home on the West Pennine Moors meant he never rebelled.
