Vernon Kay Makes Playful Career Plea to Mills & Boon Publisher
Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay has issued a lighthearted career pitch to renowned romantic fiction publisher Mills & Boon, joking that he could "give Abbey Clancy a run for her money" in the genre. The 51-year-old broadcaster suggested he could "smash out" a BBC-themed version of the publisher's famous novels during a recent episode of his mid-morning show.
Celebrity Collaborations and Publishing Power
Mills & Boon, famous for its romantic novels spanning contemporary love stories to period romances with medical settings and heroic themes, has collaborated with numerous celebrities in recent years. The publisher estimates it sells one book every ten seconds in the United Kingdom, maintaining remarkable popularity 118 years after its founding.
Notable celebrity contributors include:
- Model Abbey Clancy, 40, who is married to former England footballer Peter Crouch
- Former I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! campmate Georgia Toffolo
- Love Island winner Amber Rose Gill
- Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York
The Radio 2 Mills & Boon Proposal
During his show, Vernon reflected on the cultural significance of Mills & Boon, noting that "everyone growing up of a certain age will remember the Mills & Boon series, the Rose of Romance." He added that most families had at least one member with a collection of the books.
Addressing the publisher directly, Vernon declared: "Mills & Boon if you're listening, give us a go. One-hundred-and-eighteen pages, could smash that out easy. Not a problem, come on, get in touch. The Radio 2 Mills & Boon book...'It all happened in the eighth floor'."
The title reference to "The Eighth Floor" nods to Radio 2's Broadcasting House headquarters in London, where Vernon's show originates. The quip came during a segment where listeners shared prize-winning experiences, including one who attended an exclusive Coldplay gig and briefly touched singer Chris Martin's arm.
From Cover Presenter to Mid-Morning Mainstay
Vernon first joined Radio 2 in 2021, initially covering for Rylan Clark's weekend programme before stepping in for broadcasting heavyweights including Steve Wright, Dermot O'Leary and Zoe Ball. He landed the prestigious mid-morning slot in 2023 following Ken Bruce's departure from the station.
Reflecting on his appointment at the time, Vernon said: "I'm absolutely over the moon to be handed the microphone to present the mid-morning show on Radio 2, and what an honour to follow in the footsteps of the mighty Ken Bruce. I look forward to playing some of the best music in the world whilst in the company of the Radio 2 listeners who I feel I've got to know over the last 18 months."
Television Work and Family Collaborations
Alongside his radio commitments, Vernon has been juggling regular appearances on The One Show alongside Alex Jones. Just last month, he shared the sofa with his wife Tess Daly for their first joint presenting gig in nearly two decades, having previously hosted singing competition Just The Two of Us from 2006 to 2007.
The father-of-two confessed to feeling pre-show jitters before the broadcast with his wife, quipping on Radio 2: "I didn't realise it was international take your partner to work day." He later elaborated: "I did enjoy it but I was on pins. You know when you're pottering about at home and you do something that slightly irks your partner... I wondered if I should put my script down on the left side or the right side."
Co-host Scott Mills revealed he'd been caught off guard while tuning in, joking: "It was a surprise. Here's how much I watch The One Show now i.e. go to bed early. The night before, Alex went, 'so Vernon's back tomorrow with blah blah blah.' And I'm like, 'So he's doing it on his own?'"
Despite the nerves, Vernon's playful proposal to Mills & Boon demonstrates his continued enthusiasm for creative challenges beyond his established broadcasting roles, suggesting the presenter remains open to unexpected career directions should the romantic fiction publisher take him up on his offer.
