Vernon was supported by his co-stars.
Vernon Kay is celebrating his birthday (Image: BBC)
BBC Radio 2 made a huge announcement to celebrate presenter Vernon Kay. The radio channel’s official Instagram account shared a wholesome snap of the star surrounded by colleagues as he celebrated his birthday.
In the picture, he held an iconic Colin the Caterpillar cake, with candles that spelt out ‘Happy Birthday’ as he smiled joyfully. The caption read: “Join us in wishing Vernon Kay a very Happy Birthday!” It was followed by cake and balloon emojis. Fans were quick to support Vernon in making the most of his special day, as he turned 52 years old. In the comments, the One Show’s account wrote: “Happy birthday, Vernon!” Another follower penned: “Happy birthday lovely man. I love listening to you. Best thing to happen to BBC Radio 2.” While someone else added: “Happy birthday Vernon! 52 and fabulous!”
His birthday celebrations followed an awkward slip up, where Vernon was forced to add a statement “for legal reasons” live on air.
Recounting how he had spent much of the previous weekend pottering about in the garden, Vernon said: “I planted some stuff, I mowed again. I did lots of stuff, with [BBC Radio] 5 Live on in the background.”
Singing the praises of the 5 Live team, Vernon reserved special admiration for Match of the Day presenter Mark Chapman: “I like Mark Chapman. Great guy, great broadcaster… tremendous broadcaster.”
He said: “I always put 5 Live on Saturday afternoon,” before hastily adding that he “gets his fill” of BBC Radio 2 during the week, joking: “For legal reasons, I’ve got to say that … I like this job here!”
On a separate occasion, Vernon joked that he was about to get “the sack” after heaping praise upon Radio 2 in the Park co-host Michelle Visage, 56, who counts his wife, former Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly, among her close friends.
Michelle, who launched her career with girl group Seduction before achieving fame as a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race, had been talking about how hot it was at the park at the time.
Vernon cheekily replied: “But wherever you are is always hot,” before playfully telling Michelle to write down his flattering remark and send it to herself.
“Put it in an envelope and send it back home,” he suggested. “When you go home, you can open that envelope. And you know what it’ll say? You’re hot.”
Aware that his flirtatious quips may have overstepped the mark, Vernon sheepishly joked: “I just got fired.”
