BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay was forced to improvise with CDs on Thursday after the station's digital system failed during his show. The 50-year-old was playing Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who when the track cut out at around 11.30am, leaving him laughing on air.
Kay told listeners the computer system had 'just failed' and that he could not hear the music in the studio, despite the screen indicating it was playing. He admitted he was 'fascinated' by the technical glitch, saying 'these things excite me when things go wrong on air'.
Jeremy Vine, whose show follows at midday, reported similar issues in his studio while preparing for his programme, which was set to include general election coverage and an age simulation suit segment. A staff member brought in a box of CDs, and Kay played Harry Styles' Treat People With Kindness to keep the broadcast going.
Kay joked that the team was 'running down to the basement to get some cassettes and some MiniDiscs'. After playing a pre-recorded interview with Glastonbury headliner Shania Twain, the system was restored at about 11.50am. A BBC spokesperson confirmed a 'technical fault which was quickly fixed'.
