BBC Radio 2 host Vernon Kay found himself in stitches during an on-air discussion about keeping pets cool, after a listener suggestion sparked an unexpectedly awkward exchange in the studio. During his mid-morning programme on June 25, Kay was reading out audience tips for handling scorching temperatures when the conversation turned to his Chihuahua, Blue.
Vernon Kay Reveals Tess Daly's Cooling Trick
Following a listener's recommendation about freezing a hot water bottle for bedtime, Kay disclosed the measures he and his wife, Tess Daly, had taken to ensure their dog remained comfortable overnight. He explained: “We wrapped our Chihuahua last night, in a towel, a wet towel. Little Blue. He was struggling, he really was struggling, do you know what I mean? Little, little lad. He's a big 'un, so he's struggling. So Tess said, 'Why don't we just put him in a wet towel?' So I was like, 'yeah, looks like a poncho'. So, he had this poncho over him all night, just chilling.”
Listener Tips and a Cucumber Suggestion
Additional listeners contributed their own cooling techniques, including someone who proposed positioning cool mats beneath bedsheets and inside pillowcases. The conversation quickly circled back to Blue when Kay shared another suggestion involving cucumber slices. However, Kay remained sceptical: “If you put a cucumber slice in front of our dog, it's not going to keep him cool. He's just going to wolf it down,” he quipped. He continued: “Maybe if they ingest it, then I guess that cools them down, but, you know, if it's not savoury, if it's not chicken or beef, he's having none of it. You know what I mean? Put them on his eyes, make him look cool and chilled? He's brilliant. He's struggling, though.”
Awkward On-Air Exchange
The chat took a surprising twist when travel correspondent Bobbie Pryor attempted to offer an alternative solution. She suggested: “Are you not tempted to dig him a hole under the hedge? They need to be in the damp... What I meant was, sorry, let me just..” Picking up on the unfortunate phrasing, Kay swiftly cut in with: “He's not dead yet.” As the studio erupted in laughter, Pryor hastily clarified her intentions, explaining that dogs frequently enjoy resting in cool, damp earth. She said: “No, no, sorry. I didn't think about that. What I meant is, you know they like to crawl. Hang on, the producer's looking at me. Producer Phil is looking really worried.. What I meant is, they like sitting in damp earth. So you've got, you know, a lot of hedgerows. You've got some big trees. If you dig out a patch... Come on, that's what kind of dog parents you are.”
Vernon Kay's Joke and Pryor's Apology
Kay couldn't help but milk the joke further, quipping: “If you're listening Tess, get him in the ground.” A flustered Pryor desperately attempted to salvage the situation, insisting: “I didn't mean that, Tess. What I meant was, find him some shade. Dig him a damp space.” Attempting to make sense of the increasingly farcical exchange, Kay asked: “What is the heat doing to us?” Pryor then wrapped up the segment with a light-hearted apology, conceding: “So sorry, everybody. It's the BBC. They expect more from me. Trusted voice of the BBC. What am I doing?”
