Vernon Kay has cheekily told his radio colleague, Jeremy Vine, to "get over it" after he faced an awkward snub live on air. His remark came during a light-hearted exchange when Jeremy appeared towards the end of Vernon's broadcast on Thursday, June 11, to offer a sneak peek of his BBC Radio 2 show.
As he spoke, he asked those in the studio whether they were running a sweepstake for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicked off yesterday, before revealing that he hadn't been "invited".
Jeremy went on to inquire: "You're doing a sweepstake, are you, for the football? I can't remember... Are we doing one in the building or something?", to which Vernon confirmed somebody was and asked if he had a ticket.
Jeremy replied: "Well, no, I haven't been invited yet." Vernon's producer could then be heard on the airwaves, saying it was for "staff only", as laughter erupted in the studio and Jeremy dubbed it a "great response".
Vernon said: "How long you been here, Jeremy? How long you been at the BBC?" He responded that he'd been at the Beeb for 39 years, describing the on-air snub as the "best moment", vowing he would "keep that one for Christmas".
Vernon clarified his producer had meant "production staff only", but the incident clearly tickled him. Laughing, he said: "After forty years, Jeremy's been pied off", as his colleague confirmed he'd joined in 1987.
Jeremy then set out the topic he would be covering on his show - gambling, before explaining that certain rules must be followed to avoid sweepstakes straying into the "realms of professional gambling".
He joked: "Is the staff only one going to be okay for that, do you think? I don't know; I'm worried. I think maybe shut it down. Quick heads up, if Japan's free, I want Japan." Vernon then quipped: "You're not staff; get over it."
It comes after Vernon shared insights about a family event in his first on-air reference to Tess Daly since their split was announced in May, following 23 years of marriage.
Soon after they revealed the bombshell, Vernon told his listeners: "I just want to say on behalf of myself and Tess, thank you, thank you, for all your well wishes, it's been greatly, greatly, appreciated." It's understood that the couple continue to live together.
Last month, he disclosed information about celebrating daughter Amber's birthday alongside Tess. He said: "Yesterday, we were tidying up, Amber had a party. Tess and I were running around tidying up and thank goodness that the weather was nice, do you know what I mean, with cleaning up the garden. We had such a good time, it was awesome on Saturday night and very funny. But in the morning, Tess and I were like, 'Whoa, better get cracking!'"
