Vernon Kay’s heroic 115-mile ultramarathon for Children in Need has raised over £4.3 million in just three days, earning him national acclaim. The Radio 2 presenter, 49, described the challenge as the most ‘painful and joyous’ event of his life, thanking the public for their emotional support. One fan told him, ‘Thank you for saving my life,’ a moment Kay called ‘really powerful’.
Kay’s career had hit a lull before he joined I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2020. After presenting ITV's Family Fortunes from 2006 to 2015 and a stint at Radio X, he kept a low profile until the reality show revived his profile. He finished third in the Gwrych Castle edition, calling 2020 ‘a kick in the nuts’ and admitting he ‘had not been working really’ that year.
In February 2023, Kay was announced as the new host of BBC Radio 2’s mid-morning show, replacing Ken Bruce. This high-profile role led to his selection for the annual Children in Need challenge. He ran from Leicester to Bolton, finishing at Bolton Wanderers stadium on November 17, greeted by cheerleaders, a brass band, and a crowd of fans.
His wife, Strictly's Tess Daly, could not attend due to rehearsals but praised him in a video call. Kay’s parents, Gladys and Norman, were present, with his mother saying, ‘I'm his mother and I know he deserves it!’ The fundraiser has cemented Kay's return to the spotlight after years in the shadows.
