Vernon Kay recently shared an interesting encounter he had with a well-known BBC presenter while appearing on a popular ITV show. In 2020, Vernon, 51, participated in the twentieth season of ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ where he finished third, behind Jordan North and Giovanna Fletcher. The season was unique as it was filmed at Gwrych Castle in Wales due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Following his stint on the show, Vernon transitioned to the BBC, initially covering for Rylan Clark on Saturdays. He later filled in for Steve Wright before eventually taking over the mid-morning slot after Ken Bruce’s departure in 2023.
During his time filling in for Rylan, Vernon encountered veteran DJ Tony Blackburn at the BBC studios. Despite Tony’s friendly demeanor, Vernon humorously revealed that Tony did not vote for him on ‘I’m A Celebrity,’ instead choosing Jordan. Vernon expressed admiration for Tony, describing him as one of the industry greats.
Recalling Tony’s early days at BBC Radio, Vernon highlighted Tony’s skill in managing turntables during his radio career. Tony’s illustrious career began in pirate radio in the 1960s, and he was the first DJ on Radio 1 when it launched in 1967. Tony will be featured on Radio 2 with Scott Mills soon.
In a separate incident, Vernon shared a funny anecdote about an outing to a DIY store that raised eyebrows with his wife, Tess Daly. Despite his casual attire, Vernon was recognized by a listener at B&Q, showcasing the extensive reach of Radio 2’s audience.