BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine has issued a firm warning to his co-star Vernon Kay, telling him to stop talking about his nights out with the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. Burnham officially entered 10 Downing Street on Monday, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace.
Vine's Caution to Kay
In light of Burnham's new role, Vine cautioned Bolton-born Kay to tone down his references to their friendship. "You're going to have to stop saying you've met [Burnham] once, because he's going to be Prime Minister," Vine told Kay on the presenter's radio show over the weekend. "It'll sound like name-dropping."
Kay, 52, had previously revealed he spent "Saturday nights" out drinking "pints" with the new PM in Manchester. "I've got lots of mutual friends with Andy Burnham. I know him quite well," the presenter has said in the past.
Kay's Defence of Friendship
When asked if he had ever been to Chequers, the Prime Minister's country retreat, Kay responded: "I've been there before. Maybe go again." Kay, who is currently navigating a divorce with Tess Daly, added of Burnham: "Nice bloke, that's all I can say. You've never been around Leigh on a Friday night or a Saturday night with him. That's my reference."
Vine replied "nice doesn't always cut it," to which Kay quipped: "It does on a night out though Jeremy, with your mates." Kay admitted they have shared a pint before, saying: "Back in the day. Before politics."
Burnham's Cabinet Choices
Burnham is set to unveil his Cabinet on Monday afternoon, facing a tough choice over who to appoint as his Chancellor, with Rachel Reeves widely expected to leave the post. Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband was initially seen as a frontrunner to take over at the helm of the Treasury, but Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been favoured by some Labour MPs instead.
Kay's Comments on Chris Packham
While Kay has been warned to censor some of his comments about Burnham, he had free rein over his thoughts on Chris Packham amid the environmentalist's public feud with Jeremy Clarkson. Packham criticised the portrayal of farming in Clarkson's Farm earlier this month, arguing that the idyllic scenes are "not what a farm looks like," saying many farms are "sprayed with deadly chemicals" and keep animals "indoors in crates." Clarkson hit back in his Sun column, dismissing Packham's comments as "b******s" and arguing the conservationist knew they were untrue because he had previously visited Diddly Squat Farm.
Kay appeared to wade into the row by sharing his praise for Packham just days later. Discussing the presenter's new BBC Two series, Evolution, he said on his radio show: "He talks about evolution – that's what his programme is about. He talks about where we all stem from, and one cell is the key to all life. Fascinating. It's worth a watch. I couldn't believe I was related to him, I'll be honest with you. We're all related to each other. It's cracking. It's a great show. Chris Packham – one of the best, isn't he?"
