Vernon Kay has admitted it is "a relief" after noticing a marked change in how the public interacts with him, years after receiving a warning from former Family Fortunes host Les Dennis. The BBC Radio 2 presenter, 52, made the admission while discussing his station quiz segment Ten to the Top, which has become a well-loved element of his mid-morning show.
Public Interaction Shift
Speaking on air, Vernon disclosed that listeners are now much more likely to approach him about the quiz rather than greeting him with the famous Family Fortunes buzzer noise associated with his time presenting the programme. He said: "It's now become the replacement for [imitates Family Fortunes buzzer] when I walk around the supermarket, which is a relief. It's taken a while, and Les Dennis warned me, he did warn me."
"When I first got the Family Fortunes gig, he told me that it will follow you around for the rest of your life. But now, instead of [imitates Family Fortunes buzzer] I get 'Hey Vern, I play 10 to the top. Got the year question right.' 'Oh, well done. When did you do that?'"
"And then people always say, 'I should give it a go.' Yes, you should. You're not going to lose. You either get a coffee mug, or you win a smart speaker. You don't leave empty handed."
Family Fortunes Legacy
Vernon took on presenting responsibilities for Family Fortunes in 2006, succeeding comedian and television presenter Les Dennis, who fronted the long-running ITV game show for more than a decade. The radio presenter's comments come after his disclosure a day prior that he had essentially been "banned" from discussing another popular topic on BBC Radio 2, according to the Express, reports the Mirror.
Bacon Sandwich Ban
During Monday's programme, Vernon read out a message from listeners preparing for a journey to the Norfolk coastline before playfully noting that his elaborate descriptions of bacon sandwiches had prompted complaints from colleague Janine. He told his audience: "Second in Gordon and Debbie Benning, getting ready to go to Hunstanton for a lovely bacon baguette at the cafe on the cliff. You know how I feel about a bacon sandwich. Janine has banned me from talking about my Saturday morning bacon sandwich in a Nigella Lawson styling. She finds it quite creepy."
"How I talk about lashings and lashings of French butter. Slowly oozing into a thick slice of sourdough. Creating tantalizing and magical moments on the palate."
Health Update
The DJ also said sorry for sounding unwell during the show and admitted he was struggling with a sore throat. He said: "I'm a bit throaty today. I do apologize. I don't know what it is, but I woke up on Friday morning with a really sore throat. So, I'm not gonna lie because we're all friends on mid-morning on BBC Radio 2. It might be more music less chat today. A bit throaty, we're on the honey and lemon." Despite being under the weather, Vernon pressed on with the show, exchanging light-hearted banter with listeners on subjects as varied as quiz questions and bacon sandwiches.
