BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay has admitted he is worried about losing his job after making a mistake while hosting his programme. The 52-year-old broadcaster, who has built a loyal following over his long career, found himself in difficulty during a recent show.
On-air apology after nickname gaffe
During Tuesday's programme (October 27), Kay chatted with co-host and travel reporter Ellie Brennan about previous slip-ups on his show involving conversations with other team members. Speaking to Brennan, he remarked: "So she's here, you've heard the dulcet tones of the lady with the travel."
Brennan responded: "Don't say that with a straight face." Kay replied: "Well after what I said about the layby lady I have to be careful you see. Called you all sorts and I like this job I really love it. I don't want to be shown the door. Oh there you go."
The incident Kay appeared to be referencing happened earlier this month. On October 20, he introduced Brennan as "Lady of the Lanes" before trying to come up with more suggestions. Brennan suggested Kay was stalling for time before he went on: "Can you hear the cogs? The Queen of the Carriageway, yeah, the Heroine of the Highway."
Backtrack after offensive term
A colleague then proposed "The Duchess of the Dual Carriageway." Following this exchange, Kay revealed they had scrapped "Lady of the Layby". Moments later, as Brennan launched into her traffic update, Kay interjected with "The Harlot of the Hard-shoulder" before realising he had made a blunder by using that word on air.
He then quickly looked up the term online and acknowledged his error, confessing it had been inappropriate. He said: "I've just given it a Google. Yeah, it's not what I thought it meant. Yeah, education is key.
"You learn something every day. Wow, that's definitely not you. Accidental Partridge are having a field day right now. I know; now, I've just given it a Google, I'm like, 'Oh no, it's quite offensive'. Watch your facts, please."
Previous near-miss on Celebrity Traitors
Previously, Kay almost made a huge mistake live on-air, but insisted "it's not my fault". He worried about receiving "loads of complaints" when he nearly committed a gaffe at the start of the current series of Celebrity Traitors.
Chatting to his team on the show, Kay enquired: "Has anyone left The Traitors castle yet?" Brennan responded: "Not yet, but we mustn't do spoilers." Producer Phil McGarvey then interjected: "Someone has left The Traitors castle. Catch up on iPlayer."
Kay was then greatly relieved that he hadn't revealed any plot details. He said: "Good job the mic was down then. Good job I was quick on the fade, we would have loads and loads of complaints on the texts. Well done pal."
