Vernon Kay, the Bolton-born TV and BBC Radio 2 presenter, found himself in an awkward situation during a live broadcast when he misjudged his co-star's fashion choices. The incident occurred when travel reporter Ellie Brennan arrived at work sporting a star-shaped makeup design and a scarf, which Vernon mistakenly associated with Harry Potter.
The Awkward Exchange
Vernon, who earns an estimated £390,000 annually from the BBC, made the gaffe while hosting his show, which attracts over six million listeners each week. He said to Ellie: "I don't know whether you've come as Ziggy Stardust, or whether you've come as a Harry Potter character. You've got a star over one eye and you're wearing what looks like a Harry Potter school scarf."
Ellie quickly corrected him, explaining that the scarf was simply part of her outfit and that the star was a tribute to the Austrian Eurovision entry this year, COSMÓ, who also wears a star. She added that they had interviewed the artist earlier that morning.
An embarrassed Vernon responded: "I thought you'd been to the Harry Potter fan store on Regent Street," before quietly adding: "I just want the ground to swallow me up."
Vernon's Humorous Recovery
Despite the initial embarrassment, Vernon later returned to his Hogwarts-themed joke, introducing Ellie's travel segment by saying: "Here's Harry-Ellie Potter with the travel!" Ellie took the ribbing in good spirits, but still complained: "Who needs enemies when you've got friends like these?"
Personal Life and Marriage
Vernon's schoolboy humour has reportedly caused differences in his marriage to former Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly. The couple, who both started as models before moving into TV, have reportedly grown apart. Friends say Tess, 57, feels her age, while Vernon, a few years younger, "is still a big kid."
A friend told the Daily Mail that their interests have diverged significantly. Vernon enjoys attending gigs and watching American football, having seen Oasis five times during their reunion tour in the past year, but never with Tess. In contrast, Tess prefers 'girls weekends' and is ready to be 'selfish' after leaving Strictly Come Dancing.
The source added: "They are totally different people now. They used to have so much in common but things have changed. Tess needs to find a rich, older man with a yacht, while Vernon is still a big kid. He loves going out, having a drink and a laugh, and enjoys '90s disco nights, football, American football, and Oasis. Tess isn't interested in any of that."
