BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay has found himself at the centre of attention after making a heartfelt on-air comment about a former colleague, swiftly followed by a fiery rant concerning the ongoing speculation about who will replace his wife, Tess Daly, and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing.
Praise for a Guiding Mentor
During his radio show, Vernon Kay reminisced about his early television career, singling out his co-presenter Josie d'Arby for special praise. The 51-year-old told his co-host, Ellie Brennan, about his time working with Josie on programmes like The Phone Zone and TOTP@Play in the noughties.
"I learned so much with the amazing Josie d'Arby," Vernon enthused. "[She's] probably the best TV presenter I've ever worked with." He went on to describe her as RADA-trained and unbelievably talented, recalling how she could memorise an A4 script after just one read. He fondly stated that she "held [his] hand" and showed him the ropes during his formative years in the industry.
A Swift On-Air Clarification
As the conversation moved towards traffic updates, Vernon Kay was quick to interject and clarify his comments, seemingly aware that his words could be misinterpreted. "No offence to any of the others that I've worked with," he added, "I just had a hot flush then, you're all brilliant." This immediate qualification highlighted his desire not to cause offence to his many other presenting partners over the years.
Fury Over Strictly Come Dancing Rumours
This incident comes hot on the heels of Vernon's exasperation with the continuous media speculation about who will take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing. Last month, the beloved hosting duo announced they would be passing on the "sparkly baton" after the current series concludes, ending Tess's 21 unforgettable years on the show.
Since the announcement, a whirlwind of rumours has suggested possible replacements, including names like Alex Jones, Holly Willoughby, and Bradley Walsh. Speaking to his co-star Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2, Vernon fumed about the reports, calling them "hilarious".
"Do you honestly think that the people at Strictly Come Dancing mid-series are going to have a roundtable about who is going to host it next year?" he questioned, urging for more common sense from commentators. When Scott Mills jokingly suggested Vernon himself for the role, he quipped, "I tell you who it is, it's me and Rylan [Clark]. There you go, done, simple."
He concluded his tirade by pointing out that the production team is currently focused on the ongoing series and an upcoming Christmas special, exclaiming, "Wind your necks in, it does my head in."
Vernon Kay returns to television screens to present The One Show alongside Lauren Laverne, while Strictly Come Dancing continues its run on BBC One.
