Vernon Kay joked he'll 'be in trouble' after a hilarious on-air slip-up on his BBC Radio 2 mid-morning show. The gaffe occurred on July 14, 2026, when Kay read a listener message about the footwear brand Crocs, but the word came out sounding uncomfortably close to a profanity.
On-Air Mishap
Reading the message aloud, Vernon said: 'Hey, Vern. I wear Crocs with socks. And they're proper, not proper c***s...Crocs', sending the studio into laughter. He immediately reacted: 'Oh, clip that. Clip that. I want that on my...not my highlights, my lowlights.'
Barely containing his laughter, he continued: 'I hope you have got proper...Crocs, cos if you've not got proper Crocs, then you're gonna be in trouble.' His co-star, travel news presenter Ellie Brennan, mischievously warned: 'You are gonna be in trouble.'
Joking About His Future
Vernon quipped: 'I hope my Crocs work cos at our age, you never know.' As laughter continued, Brennan added 'especially with socks on.' Kay fired back: 'No, keep your socks on; it's safer.' Struggling to regain composure, he jested: 'I've loved working here. Thanks very much. Had a great time.'
Personal Life in Spotlight
The radio mishap follows renewed attention on Vernon's personal life after his wife Tess Daly was photographed at the Wimbledon final on July 12, 2026, still wearing her wedding rings, despite the couple confirming their separation in May 2026. The split was announced amicably via Instagram, with a statement reading: 'After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably.'
The statement continued: 'This has not been an easy choice, but it comes from a place of mutual understanding and a shared desire for what is best for both of us. We remain great friends and most importantly, fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority. There are no other parties involved in this decision. We kindly ask for privacy during this time as we navigate this transition together.'
